Audiobook Café

Accessible Media Inc.

Jacob Shymanski shares in-depth conversations with authors, narrators and industry experts! Tune in for the latest audiobook releases, curated recommendations and literary news.

  1. 1 day ago

    Authors Who Take Big Risks

    Host 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 characters.   Books mentioned in this episode include:   • “The First Law Series” and “The Heroes” by Joe Abercrombie   • “Brighton Rock” and “The End of the Affair”  by Graham Greene   • “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman   • by Joe Abercrombie   • “The Road” and “Blood Meridian” by Cormac McCarthy   • “Flesh” by David Szlay   • “Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin   • “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” and “The Adventure of the Empty House” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle • “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J. K. Rowling   • “The Satanic Verses” by Salman Rushdie   • “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift   • “One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • “Patriot” by Alexei Navalny   • “The Master and Margarita” by Mikhail Bulgakov   • “Ball Four” by Jim Bouton and Leonard Shecter   This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.  Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  2. 2 days ago

    Transness & Dad Rock: In Conversation with Author Niko Stratis

    In 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 catches up with Nico to learn about her journey as a trans woman through, her love for bands like Wilco, and her experience with narrating the audiobook.   This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.  Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  3. 30 May

    The Cultural Significance of Books

    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.  Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  4. 29 May

    The Table Where We Meet: In Conversation with Jess Janz

    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.  Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    30 min
  5. 22 May

    Honey: In Conversation with Imani Thompson

    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.   Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    29 min
  6. 16 May

    Global Accessibility Awareness Day

    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.     Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  7. 15 May

    The Last Woman of Warsaw: In Conversation with Judy Batalion

    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.  Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min
  8. 9 May

    The Heroes’ Journey

    The 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 storytelling pattern that has been repeated time and time again from myths around the world.   Host Jacob Shymanski and guest Red Széll explore the concept of the monomyth and debate if it really is the human story society craves.   In the latter portion of the show, Red reflects on his 100th episode of the “My Life In Books” podcast.   This episode was produced by Andrika De Lanerolle.  Audiobook Café is broadcast on AMI-audio in Canada and publishes two new podcast episodes a week on Fridays and Saturdays at 1 p.m. ET.  Follow Audiobook Café on Instagram @AMIAudiobookCafe  We want your feedback! Be that comments, suggestions, hot-takes, audiobook recommendations or reviews of your own… hit us up!  Our email address is: AudiobookCafe@ami.ca  About AMI AMI is a media company that entertains, informs and empowers Canadians with disabilities through three broadcast services — AMI-tv and AMI-audio in English and AMI-télé in French — and streaming platform AMI+. Our vision is to establish AMI as a leader in the offering of accessible content, providing a voice for Canadians with disabilities through authentic storytelling, representation and positive portrayal. To learn more visit AMI.ca and AMItele.ca. Find more great AMI Original Content on AMI+ Learn more at AMI.ca Connect with Accessible Media Inc. online: X /Twitter @AccessibleMediaInstagram @AccessibleMediaInc / @AMI-audioFacebook at @AccessibleMediaIncTikTok @AccessibleMediaInc Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    28 min

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Jacob Shymanski shares in-depth conversations with authors, narrators and industry experts! Tune in for the latest audiobook releases, curated recommendations and literary news.

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