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Great listens for everyone! There are now sections for adults, kids, and teens!
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| Spirit Run: A 6000-Mile Marathon Through North America's Stolen Land by Noé Álvarez; narrated by Ramon de OcampoWhat it is: a lyrical debut memoir by the son of Mexican immigrants that chronicles his working-class Washington State upbringing and his 2004 participation in the four-month, 6,000-mile Indigenous people's Peace and Dignity Journey, a relay-style run from Canada to South America.
Narration: Ramon de Ocampo conveys Noé Álvarez's inspiring coming-of-age journey with a quiet, thoughtful reading. |
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| Pretty Things by Janelle Brown; narrated by Julia Whelan, Lauren Fortgang, and Hillary HuberWhat it's about: Reluctant con-artist Nina learned from the best: her mother Lily, a master grifter. Although Nina once wanted to escape her family's criminal legacy, Lily's cancer diagnosis prompts Nina to return to her old life in order to fund her mother's treatment.
Narration: A trio of award-winning narrators bring to life the multiple perspectives of this dramatic caper thriller. |
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| Tombstone: The Earp Brothers, Doc Holliday, and the Vendetta Ride from Hell by Tom Clavin; narrated by Johnny HellerWhat it is: a vivid and rip-roaring chronicle of the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881 Tombstone, Arizona; the final book in Tom Clavin's Frontier Lawman trilogy, following Dodge City and Wild Bill.
Narration: Johnny Heller imbues this Old West history with an evocative folksy affect and distinct character voices. |
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| Revolver Road by Christi Daugherty; narrated by Sophie AmossWhat happens: After a death threat, Savannah, Georgia, crime reporter Harper McClain is temporarily living on nearby Tybee Island. So when a famous musician's body washes up on the beach, complete with bullet holes, Harper is in the perfect location to dig into the case.
Narration: Sophie Amoss has narrated all three novels in the Harper McClain series; she won an AudioFile Earphones Award for series launch The Echo Killer. |
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| The Coyotes of Carthage by Steven Wright; narrated by Glenn DavisWhat it is: a dark (and darkly humorous) tale of political and financial skulduggery in a small South Carolina town.
Narration: Glenn Davis' calm, leisurely paced reading underscores the complexity of the novel's conflicted protagonist, political "fixer" Andre Ross. |
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| Had I Known: Collected Essays by Barbara Ehrenreich; narrated by Suzanne Toren What it is: an incisive collection of previously published essays from journalist and bestselling Nickel and Dimed author Barbara Ehrenreich.
Narration: In this AudioFile Earphones Award-winning recording, Suzanne Toren's witty and playful reading engages while it entertains. |
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| Death in Mud Lick: A Coal Country Fight Against the Drug Companies That Delivered... by Eric Eyre; narrated by Michael David AxtellWhat it's about: how the opioid epidemic ravaged Kermit, West Virginia, a town with a population of less than 400 that distributed 12 million opioid pills over a period of three years.
Narration: Michael David Axtell conveys Kermit's heartwrenching decline in his impassioned AudioFile Earphones Award-winning recording. |
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| A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones; narrated by Lorelei King Starring: single mom Sunshine Vicram, who, thanks to her interfering parents, is the new sheriff of her quirky hometown of Del Sol, New Mexico.
Narration: Lorelei King juggles multiple character voices -- including a snarky tone for protagonist Sunshine -- in this first in a new mystery series. |
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| The Honey-Don't List by Christina Lauren; narrated by Patti Murin and Jon RootStarring: Carey Duncan and James McCann, overworked assistants to celebrity couple Melissa and Russell Tripp. Can they prevent the public from learning that the Tripps secretly hate each other?
Narration: Patti Murin and Jon Root trade narrative duties in this upbeat romantic comedy. |
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Audiobooks for Young Listeners
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Race to the sun by Rebecca Roanhorse Lately, seventh grader Nizhoni Begay has been able to detect monsters, like that man in the fancy suit who was in the bleachers at her basketball game. Turns out he's Mr. Charles, her dad's new boss at the oil and gas company, and he's alarmingly interested in Nizhoni and her brother, Mac, their Navajo heritage, and the legend of the Hero Twins. Nizhoni knows he's a threat, but her father won't believe her. When Dad disappears the next day, leaving behind a message that says "Run!", the siblings and Nizhoni's best friend, Davery, are thrust into a rescue mission that can only be accomplished with the help of Diné Holy People, all disguised as quirky characters. Timeless themes such as the importance of family and respect for the land resonate in this funny, fast-paced, and exciting quest adventure set in the American Southwest. ~ amazon.com
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The season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene are excited to have adventures in the woods behind their house. But Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town.
Then Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone. Styx is sixteen and oozes cool. Styx promises the brothers that together, the three of them can pull off the Great Escalator Trade--exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads. Styx has secrets--secrets so big they could ruin everything. ~ amazon.com
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The forbidden library by Django Wexler Alice always thought fairy tales had happy endings. That—along with everything else—changed the day she met her first fairy. When Alice's father disappears in a shipwreck, she is sent to live with her uncle Geryon—an uncle she's never heard of and knows nothing about. He lives in an enormous manor with a massive library that is off-limits to Alice. But then she meets a talking cat. And, even for a rule-follower, when a talking cat sneaks you into a forbidden library and introduces you to an arrogant boy who dares you to open a book, it's hard to resist. Especially if you're a reader to begin with. Soon Alice finds herself INSIDE the book, and the only way out is to defeat the creature imprisoned within.
It seems Uncle Geryon is more than he says he is. But then, so is Alice. ~ amazon.com
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A boy called Bat by Elana K Arnold The first book in a funny, heartfelt, and irresistible young middle grade series starring an unforgettable young boy on the autism spectrum, from acclaimed author Elana K. Arnold and with illustrations by Charles Santoso. This chapter book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 6 to 8 who are ready to read independently. It’s a fun way to keep your child engaged and as a supplement for activity books for children. For Bixby Alexander Tam (nicknamed Bat), life tends to be full of surprises—some of them good, some not so good. Today, though, is a good-surprise day. Bat’s mom, a veterinarian, has brought home a baby skunk, which she needs to take care of until she can hand him over to a wild-animal shelter. But the minute Bat meets the kit, he knows they belong together. And he’s got one month to show his mom that a baby skunk might just make a pretty terrific pet. ~ amazon.com
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Her royal highness by Rachel Hawkins A laugh-out-loud companion to Royals finds a Houston teen pursuing an education at an exclusive Scottish boarding school to mend her broken heart before clashing with, and then unexpectedly falling for, her spoiled princess roommate. Millie Quint is devastated when she discovers that her sort-of-best friend/sort-of-girlfriend has been kissing someone else. Heartbroken and ready for a change of pace, Millie decides to apply for scholarships to boarding schools . . . the farther from Houston the better.
Soon, Millie is accepted into one of the world's most exclusive schools, located in the rolling highlands of Scotland. Here, the country is dreamy and green; the school is covered in ivy, and the students think her American-ness is adorable.
The only problem: Mille's roommate Flora is a total princess.
She's also an actual princess. Of Scotland.
At first, the girls can't stand each other, but before Millie knows it, she has another sort-of-best-friend/sort-of-girlfriend. Princess Flora could be a new chapter in her love life, but Millie knows the chances of happily-ever-afters are slim . . . after all, real life isn't a fairy tale . . . or is it? ~ amazon.com
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Ali Cross by James Patterson Published to coincide with the release of the 25th entry in Patterson’s best-selling Alex Cross thrillers, a series debut starring Alex’s son, Ali, follows his desperate search for a missing friend and clues proving his father’s innocence against a backdrop of neighborhood burglaries. Ali Cross has always looked up to his father, former detective and FBI agent Alex Cross. While solving some of the nation's most challenging crimes, his father always kept his head and did the right thing. Can Ali have the same strength and resolve? When Ali's best friend Gabe is reported missing, Ali is desperate to find him. At the same time, a string of burglaries targets his neighborhood---and even his own house. With his father on trial for a crime he didn't commit, it's up to Ali to search for clues and find his friend. But being a kid sleuth isn't easy---especially when your father warns you not to get involved!---and Ali soon learns that clues aren't always what they seem. Will his detective work lead to a break in Gabe's case or cause even more trouble for the Cross family? ~ amazon.com
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The remarkable journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart Five years.
That's how long Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, have lived on the road in an old school bus, criss-crossing the nation.
It's also how long ago Coyote lost her mom and two sisters in a car crash.
Coyote hasn’t been home in all that time, but when she learns that the park in her old neighborhood is being demolished―the very same park where she, her mom, and her sisters buried a treasured memory box―she devises an elaborate plan to get her dad to drive 3,600 miles back to Washington state in four days...without him realizing it.
Along the way, they'll pick up a strange crew of misfit travelers. Lester has a lady love to meet. Salvador and his mom are looking to start over. Val needs a safe place to be herself. And then there's Gladys...
Over the course of thousands of miles, Coyote will learn that going home can sometimes be the hardest journey of all...but that with friends by her side, she just might be able to turn her “once upon a time” into a “happily ever after.” ~ amazon.com
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A good kind of trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée Twelve-year-old Shayla is allergic to trouble. All she wants to do is to follow the rules. (Oh, and she’d also like to make it through seventh grade with her best friendships intact, learn to run track, and have a cute boy see past her giant forehead.) But in junior high, it’s like all the rules have changed. Now she’s suddenly questioning who her best friends are and some people at school are saying she’s not black enough. Wait, what? Shay’s sister, Hana, is involved in Black Lives Matter, but Shay doesn't think that's for her. After experiencing a powerful protest, though, Shay decides some rules are worth breaking. She starts wearing an armband to school in support of the Black Lives movement. Soon everyone is taking sides. And she is given an ultimatum. Shay is scared to do the wrong thing (and even more scared to do the right thing), but if she doesn't face her fear, she'll be forever tripping over the next hurdle. Now that’s trouble, for real. ~ amazon.com
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New kid by Jerry Craft Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade. As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself? ~ amazon.com
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Audiobooks for Teen Listeners
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Gone by Michael Grant In the blink of an eye, everyone disappears. Gone. Except for the young. There are teens, but not one single adult. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: on your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else. . . . ~ amazon.com
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I wish you all the best by Mason Deaver It's just three words: I am nonbinary. But that's all it takes to change everything.
When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they're thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents' rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school.
But Ben's attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan's friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life.
At turns heartbreaking and joyous, I Wish You All the Best is both a celebration of life, friendship, and love, and a shining example of hope in the face of adversity. ~ amazon.com
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The book of dust, volume 1: La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman Malcolm Polstead and his daemon, Asta, are used to overhearing news and the occasional scandal at the inn run by his family. But during a winter of unceasing rain, Malcolm finds a mysterious object—and finds himself in grave danger.
Inside the object is a cryptic message about something called Dust; and it’s not long before Malcolm is approached by the spy for whom this message was actually intended. When she asks Malcolm to keep his eyes open, he begins to notice suspicious characters everywhere: the explorer Lord Asriel, clearly on the run; enforcement agents from the Magisterium; a gyptian named Coram with warnings just for Malcolm; and a beautiful woman with an evil monkey for a daemon. All are asking about the same thing: a girl—just a baby—named Lyra. Lyra is at the center of a storm, and Malcolm will brave any peril, and make shocking sacrifices, to bring her safely through it. ~ amazon.com
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Carry on : the rise and fall of Simon Snow by Rainbow Rowell Simon Snow is the worst Chosen One who's ever been chosen.
That's what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he's probably right.
Half the time, Simon can't even make his wand work, and the other half, he starts something on fire. His mentor's avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there's a magic-eating monster running around, wearing Simon's face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here--it's their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon's infuriating nemesis didn't even bother to show up.
Carry On is a ghost story, a love story and a mystery. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story - but far, far more monsters. ~ amazon.com
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War girls by Tochi Onyebuchi Two sisters are torn apart by war and must fight their way back to each other in a futuristic, Black Panther-inspired Nigeria.
The year is 2172. Climate change and nuclear disasters have rendered much of earth unlivable. Only the lucky ones have escaped to space colonies in the sky.
In a war-torn Nigeria, battles are fought using flying, deadly mechs and soldiers are outfitted with bionic limbs and artificial organs meant to protect them from the harsh, radiation-heavy climate. Across the nation, as the years-long civil war wages on, survival becomes the only way of life.
Two sisters, Onyii and Ify, dream of more. Their lives have been marked by violence and political unrest. Still, they dream of peace, of hope, of a future together.
And they're willing to fight an entire war to get there. ~ amazon.com
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Sherwood by Meagan Spooner Robin of Locksley is dead. Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on, but the people of Locksley town, persecuted by the Sheriff of Nottingham, need a protector. And the dreadful Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand, wishes to step into Robin’s shoes as Lord of Locksley and Marian’s fiancé. Who is there to stop them? Marian never meant to tread in Robin’s footsteps—never intended to stand as a beacon of hope to those awaiting his triumphant return. But with a sweep of his green cloak and the flash of her sword, Marian makes the choice to become her own hero: Robin Hood. ~ amazon.com
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Dear Evan Hansen : the novel by Val Emmich Dear Evan Hansen,
Today's going to be an amazing day and here's why...
When a letter that was never meant to be seen by anyone draws high school senior Evan Hansen into a family's grief over the loss of their son, he is given the chance of a lifetime: to belong. He just has to stick to a lie he never meant to tell, that the notoriously troubled Connor Murphy was his secret best friend.
Suddenly, Evan isn't invisible anymore--even to the girl of his dreams. And Connor Murphy's parents, with their beautiful home on the other side of town, have taken him in like he was their own, desperate to know more about their enigmatic son from his closest friend. As Evan gets pulled deeper into their swirl of anger, regret, and confusion, he knows that what he's doing can't be right, but if he's helping people, how wrong can it be?
No longer tangled in his once-incapacitating anxiety, this new Evan has a purpose. And a website. He's confident. He's a viral phenomenon. Every day is amazing. Until everything is in danger of unraveling and he comes face to face with his greatest obstacle: himself.
A simple lie leads to complicated truths in this big-hearted coming-of-age story of grief, authenticity and the struggle to belong in an age of instant connectivity and profound isolation. ~ amazon.com
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Part of your world : a twisted tale
by
Liz Braswell
In a reimagining of what would have happened if Ariel had never defeated Ursula, 5 years have elapsed and Ariel is now the voiceless queen of Atlantica while Ursula runs Prince Eric's kingdom on land, but when Ariel discovers that her father, King Triton, might still be alive, she finds herself returning to a world--and a prince--she never imagined she would see again.
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Spin by L. R. Giles Even in murder, the music lives on.
When rising star Paris Secord (aka DJ ParSec) is found dead on her turntables, it sends the local music scene reeling. No one is feeling that grief more than her shunned pre-fame best friend, Kya, and ParSec's chief groupie, Fuse -- two sworn enemies who happened to be the ones who discovered her body.
The police have few leads, and when the trail quickly turns cold, the authorities don't seem to be pushing too hard to investigate further. But nobody counted on Paris's deeply loyal fans, ParSec Nation, or the outrage that would drive Fuse and Kya to work together. As ParSec Nation takes to social media and the streets in their crusade for justice, Fuse and Kya start digging into Paris's past, stumbling across a deadly secret. With new info comes new motives. New suspects. And a fandom that will stop at nothing in their obsessive quest for answers, not even murder...~ amazon.com
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XL by Scott Brown WIll Daughtry is a late bloomer--at least, that's what everyone tells him. On his sixteenth birthday, Will is just shy of five feet, and he is bitterly resigned to being tiny forever. His only comforts are his best friend and stepbrother, Drew (6'3"), and their pal Monica (5'10"), the girl Will's been quietly pining for since fifth grade. Everyone else literally overlooks him. But with them, he feels whole. That is, until things take an unexpected turn, and he realizes he's really and truly on his own.
That's when he starts to grow. And grow fast. Astonishingly fast. ~ amazon.com
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Contact your librarian for more great audiobooks! |
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