Audiobooks contribute to growth for publishers as well as listeners of all ages. This month read about the audiobook market share, a survey from the School Library Journal about young listeners, listeners whose lives are enhanced by allowing audiobooks to keep them company, a celebrated chorus of voices that contributed to a new volume by Ntozake Shange and interviews with Edoardo Ballerini and Grover Gardner. Read about expanding markets for Playaway and Bookwire, the first AI voice rights case in China and get a little techy to appreciate the impact of Spotify algorithms and the delicate ecosystem of content providers, users and advertisers that drive the platform. While you’re in a tech mood, read about Microsoft’s Open AI copyright claims and dig into the psychology of how TSS influences perception. To end in a positive light… read about the New York Times Book Review’s commitment to audiobook coverage.

This month two superstars dominate the audiobook news… actually, make that three superstars! Beyond the glamour, the motivation and educational benefits of listening to audiobooks are evaluated by psychologists and librarians. Also in the news, a new partnership for comic lovers, the industry down-under and the ever-evolving bumpy road of using of AI voices.

In preparation for October’s Banned Book Week, libraries and distributors from coast to coast expanded access to books on the banned book list. In other news, the spotlight focused on black narrator superstars, The New York Times and The New Yorker dedicated space and time to discuss the love of listening to audiobooks and Spotify was also in the spotlight with expanded offerings in the UK and Australia. RBMedia, AirCanada and Darklit Press (just in time for Halloween) announced expanded offerings. Speaking of spotlights and superstars, Patrick Stewart and Michelle Obama announced new audiobook offerings.

This month kick back, relax and stroll through a brief history of the audiobook industry or get lost in a story told by your favorite celebrity. Investigate the differences in growth among the international audiobook markets. Read about the successful sale of RBMedia, mobile connectivity deals at Storytel and delivery modifications at Scribd. In other audiobook news; a Hindi production with a diverse cast, Bob Woodward’s defense presents it’s case, Stephen Fry warns the community about voice cloning without consent and a clinical trial for chronic pain patients.