For Readers: Blog

Road trip hits

Whether you’ve got an epic road trip on the calendar or your biggest plans are lounging by your local pool, we’ve got audiobooks to keep you company. While all of these titles make for satisfying reads, their audio versions go above and beyond with stellar narrators and productions. Arranged from shortest to longest listening time, you can make your way through this list until you find your perfect summer companion.

Complement your go-to classic rock radio station with Jessica Anya Blau’s charming coming-of-age story, Mary Jane. Reserved fourteen-year-old Mary is out of her element when she starts nannying for an unconventional psychiatrist who has invited his rockstar client to stay. As Mary Jane tries to bring some structure to the wild household, she also learns that there’s more to life than what her traditional upbringing led her to believe. With plenty of nostalgia and laughs, the distinct and likable characters come to life with the help of an extremely skilled narrator in this breezy audiobook. 9.75 hrs [e-book | print | audiobook] 

Brush up on some American history that didn’t make it into the textbooks with The Lincoln Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch. Four years before the tragic assassination of Lincoln, another conspiracy to kill him was in the works. Investigated by notorious detective Allan Pinkerton, this story is packed with famous figures, political turmoil, and even secret societies. Superstar narrator Scott Brick uses his years of expertise voicing some of the biggest suspense titles (think John Grisham, Harlan Coben, and David Baldacci) to make this larger-than-life true tale feel like a fast-paced thriller. 10.75 hrs [e-book | print | audiobook | large type]

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is an enchanting and heartwarming story that will brighten your day. Grieving and feeling unanchored in her hometown, widowed Tova finds solace only in her work cleaning the local aquarium. Her unlikely confidant there? Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus. A newcomer to town shakes things up, and both Tova and Marcellus (yes, we hear his point of view!) must come to terms with how short but sweet life can be. Whimsical, emotional, and ultimately uplifting, this is a memorable tale of loneliness and unlikely friendship. 11.25 hrs [e-book | print | audiobook]

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb is a music-centric mystery practically made for audio. Ray McMillian is ready to take on the world’s biggest classical music competition with his inherited Stradivarius, until the unthinkable happens: his beloved violin is stolen. During the investigation, Ray’s rocky childhood and the long-reaching legacy of his enslaved ancestors are revealed. This character-driven and socially-conscious story is further enriched in audio format with musical interludes to draw you into the compelling but cutthroat world of classical musicians. 12 hrs [e-book | print | audiobook | large type]

For a heartwarming historical read, go for the award-winning audiobook version of Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner. In post-war London, three women from all walks of life find themselves thrown together at a revered but old-fashioned bookstore. While they work together to ensure the success of the bookshop, these unlikely friends form a bond that will help them adapt to changing gender roles, process the trauma of the war, and even find a little romance. The talented narrator seamlessly switches between characters, including plenty of real-life literary cameos, transporting readers back to a dynamic time. 12.5 hrs [e-book | print | audiobook]

Sara Nisha Adams’s debut The Reading List is a thoughtful and charming debut about how books enrich our lives. Young library worker Aleisha is bored with her summer job, widower Mukesh feels lost in his empty house, and neither considers themselves a reader. The serendipitous discovery of a book list titled “Just In Case You Need It” sends them on a reading journey that fortifies them to overcome hardship and loneliness. A trio of outstanding narrators voices the likable characters and the community that is touched by a simple little list. 12.75 hrs [e-book | print | audiobook | large type]

⏤Laura