When Lauren returns home after a night out in London, she is greeted by Michael. This man is a stranger claiming to be her husband. She was definitely not married when she left that evening, but now her own camera roll, the changes to her flat, and her friends all tell a different story. How could this be? When the shocking answer is revealed, it is truly unbelieve-he came from the attic. Lauren quickly discovers that her attic produces a seemingly infinite supply of husbands.
Lauren’s life changes with each new husband. And while the idea of endless possible lives sounds appealing, she eventually starts questioning what she truly wants out of love and life. How will she trust she’s found the right one when she knows she can easily swap him out?
The Husbands is a delightful debut brimming with quirky characters, magical realism, and thought-provoking situations. Lauren’s journey is an emotional rollercoaster for both her and the reader! The audio narration by Miranda Raison made the experience all the more enjoyable.
Fans of witty, romantic comedies, and Brit Lit will want to add The Husbands to their reading lists. Thanks to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
If you’ve been staunchly anti-audiobooks…I get it. I love holding the physical book in my hands, turning the pages, being completely immersed in each written word.
But then I tried an audiobook and while I’m not a full convert, I understand the appeal now. All those chores I didn’t want to do? I press play on a book and suddenly doing the dishes isn’t so bad. Taking walks alone is more enjoyable with a thriller playing in my ears (although I wouldn’t recommend this at night!). Long car trips don’t feel like a waste of time—they’re spent reading my current book!
So, if you, like me, have been averse to trying an audiobook, find one by your favorite author, press play, and do some of your chores. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll have found a new way to enjoy reading!
If you’re unsure where to start, here are a few recently well-reviewed audiobooks to try:
Finding Me by Viola Davis, read by the author
A noted actress’s memoir, in her own words, spans her incredible, inspiring life, from her coming-of-age in Rhode Island to her present day.
Winner of the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording, Kirkus Reviews said, “This memoir by the Oscar winner is unforgettable thanks to the author’s fiery narration.”
Place a hold on the audiobook here or on the e-audiobook here
Greek Lessons by Han Kang, read by Greta Jung and Earl T. Kim
A young Korean woman losing her ability to speak befriends a Greek language teacher who is losing his sight and discover they have even more in common.
“Listeners may find themselves pausing the audio to ponder the book’s philosophical musings—or perhaps simply rewinding to re-immerse themselves in Han’s lyrical prose, delicate imagery, and the possibilities of the senses.” -Booklist
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy, read by the author
The iCarly and Sam & Cat star, after her controlling mother dies, gets the help she needs to overcome eating disorders, addiction and unhealthy relationships–and finally decides what she really wants for the first time in her life.
“Kirkus calls the memoir “heartbreaking,” and in many ways it is, but McCurdy displays a surprising dark sense of humor in both the writing and reading of this book, a sign that her healing has begun.”
Place a hold on the audiobook here or on the e-audiobook here
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid, read by Stacy Gonzalez
A retired tennis champion comes out of retirement at age 37 after watching a young phenom beat her long-standing record at the 1994 US Open.
“Stacy Gonzalez’s emotional performance as Carrie, including Spanish-sprinkled conversations with her Argentine father/coach, is excellent. The large supporting cast includes former tennis pros Patrick McEnroe and Mary Carillo, and all the news shows and pundit debates are cleverly produced with theme music.” -Kirkus Reviews
Place a hold on the audiobook here or on the e-audiobook here
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith, read by the author
The best-selling poet and author of Keep Moving offers a memoir that explores coming of age in the middle of life.
“It’s right that the author should narrate her painfully personal work…Heartbreakingly beautiful, this audio will move listeners to reflect on their own lives with insight, and, possibly, gratitude.” -Booklist
Place a hold on the audiobook here or on the e-audiobook here
Did you know June is Audiobook Month? Audiobooks are a great way to keep up with your reading amongst the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
I’ve shared them before, but here are my top five reasons to love audiobooks:
Audiobooks allow me to multitask. I read while walking my dog, cleaning, or working on a puzzle. Mundane household chores become bearable thanks to the power of a good story.
Audiobooks give the characters a literal voice, which adds depth and nuance.
Audiobook narrators can take a ho-hum story or topic and make it more interesting.
Digital audiobooks allow you to control the playback speed so you can easily slow down or speed up as your reading comprehension allows.
Audiobooks make a car, train or plane ride something to look forward to. Seriously, audiobooks are made for travel!
According to American Libraries Magazine, 57% percent of people who listen to audiobooks say that they help them finish more books. If you’re not part of that percentage, National Audiobook Month is a great time to give an audiobook a try!
Hoopa has a great collection of Audie Award-winning audiobooks. What’s an Audie Award? Audie Awards recognize distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. This year’s winner for audiobook of the year is…
Did you know that the library actually offers three different ways for you to enjoy audiobooks? You can borrow an audiobook digitally, as a Playaway, or as a CD set.
Sam is an entomologist who finds herself in a familiar habitat- her childhood home. Since the passing of her Gran Mae, the house has seemed different. Her mother, Edith now lives alone amongst the thriving rose bushes, left to her own devices with the help of a handyman. As Sam moves back in, she’s welcomed back into the world of Southern hospitality, British procedurals, and boxed wine. Not to be outdone, the eccentric neighbors are just as eccentric as ever, with vultures rehabilitating and a one-man neighborhood watch a few doors down.
But the house isn’t quite as Sam remembered. Gone are the vibrant colors and signature maximalist tendencies of her mother. Instead, her Gran Mae’s stark style has come back in multiple shades of neutral. Sam’s not convinced that her mom’s odd behavior isn’t a result of an undiagnosed condition and the home’s transformation could be a result.
Sam’s not the only visitor to the house- she wakes up in the middle of the night to swarms of ladybugs making themselves at home in her room. Soon she is left questioning why exactly the house feels so off, and it turns out that the picture-perfect styling is hiding something ugly.
This is a southern gothic novel that definitely dabbles in magical realism. The characters are engaging and the audiobook narrator is superb. If you’re a fan of spooky Southern tales, this is definitely a book for you.
One of the first audiobooks I fell in love with was Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Amy’s improv roots made the audiobook seem like an extended standup routine, and the guest narrators made for a very fun listening experience.
Once I started reading with my ears (because yes, audiobooks do count as reading), I couldn’t stop. Here are a few reasons I love audiobooks:
Audiobooks allow me to multitask. I read while walking my dog, cleaning, or working on a puzzle. Mundane household chores become bearable thanks to the power of a good story.
Audiobooks give the characters a literal voice, which adds depth and nuance.
Audiobook narrators can take a ho-hum story or topic and make it more interesting.
Digital audiobooks allow you to control the playback speed so you can easily slow down or speed up as your reading comprehension allows.
Audiobooks make a car, train or plane ride something to look forward to. Seriously, audiobooks are made for travel!
If you haven’t been convinced yet, try reading the following audiobooks, all of which are winners in my book!
Enjoy a new reading experience and pick up an audiobook today. You can download them right to your phone using Hoopla or Libby or check them out as books on CD or Playaway.
In typical librarian fashion, I am always reading a book or two, in addition to having a plethora of books sitting in various to-be-read piles in my house. Back in the days of spending time at my library office desk, I would always keep a book there to read during my meal breaks (stares nostalgically out window thinking of my desk…). Of course, now that I’m home most of the time I keep a book in the dining room to read during lunch breaks. There is always a book on my night stand (usually my Kindle hangs out there) as well and a book on my coffee table, so I’m prepared for reading at all times. Take a look below to see what I’m currently reading and what I have lined up for the next couple months!
I was so excited to snag an ARC of this book from NetGalley! I’m only about halfway through but it is great so far. After escaping a dangerously strict religious compound, where she was forced to marry the nefarious leader Reverend Sherman, teenage Vern escapes to the woods pregnant and alone. She gives birth to twins in the forest and tries her best to survive the harsh realities of this isolated life, all the while being pursued by a mysterious fiend, odd hallucinations, and experiencing uncanny changes in her body and abilities.
You can read a full review of this novel from my colleague Shannon by clicking here!
Collecting issues #6-10 of this horror comic series, readers catch up with monster killer Erica Slaughter after she has slain the beast who was terrorizing the small town of Archer’s Peak. The only problem is that the monster had babies and now they are loose in the town. A mysterious man from The House of Slaughter arrives (is this the monster slayer version of a Watcher?) to help clean up the mess but seems to make matters worse.
I am not usually an audiobook person, but every once in a while I check out an audiobook on Hoopla to listen to while I’m in the kitchen. I adore Shirley Jackson but have yet to read all her short stories and this audiobook has been a joy to listen to. Humorous, dark, and sometimes tragic, this powerful collection of haunting stories is read by a variety of voice actors making for an interesting and engaging experience.
What’s next for me? I haveTender is the Flesh by Agustina María Bazterrica, on deck, which was recommended by multiple authors in a recent Women in Horror author panel I viewed. It’s been on my want to read list for a while but after hearing some amazing authors highlight it as one of their favorite books of last year, I knew I needed to bump it up the pile! Another book that was shared in the panel and recommended to me by a friend is Maria Dahvana Headley’s Beowulf: A New Translation. I just got the ebook loaded on my Kindle thanks to OverDrive and can’t wait to start it. Finally, I’m patiently waiting for a digital copy of The Push by Ashley Audrain to arrive for me!
What is on your to-be-read pile? What are you currently reading? Share in the comments and happy reading!
Paul Adams hasn’t been back to his childhood village in twenty-five years. He left everything, including the horrible crime committed by his classmate Charlie Crabtree, behind. It’s his mother’s failing health that has brought him reluctantly back home. There is no joyful homecoming for Paul. His mother is distraught, something horrible is in his childhood home, someone is following him, and he has caught the attention of Detective Amanda Beck. Detective Beck is investigating a crime that is eerily similar to one that happened twenty-five years ago. Is it a strange coincidence that Paul is suddenly back in town? Is Charlie Crabtree back? What did happen to Charlie?
This new offering from the author of The Whisper Man, is a haunting psychological thriller with strong Stand By Me vibes. The story alternates between the past and Paul’s recollection of the crime and the present as Paul struggles to reconcile his memories with what is happening in this new case. The tension builds slowly as the the strange truth behind both cases is slowly and deliberately revealed. The skillful narration of Hannah Arterton (Safe, The Five on Netflix) and John Heffernan (Johnathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Collateral) bring the story to life and draw the listener in.
The Shadows is a great pick for readers and listeners who enjoyed The Chalk Man and other titles by C.J. Tudor and the Family Upstairs and other titles by Lisa Jewell.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for an advance reader/listener copy for review.
You know how sometimes (or fairly often) it can be hard to settle down and read? I’ve found a variety pack of options to entertain myself, and maybe some of these ideas will appeal to you as well…
Magazines! From HGTV to Gourmet to bite sized articles in How it Works that help me learn something new, I’ve been enjoying flicking those pages until something catches my eye.
I’ve also been reading from the Diverse Voices for Younger Readers collection. I 100% think books for teens and younger readers can be as good -or better!- than adult books as they tell stories that are compelling but tend to be shorter (aka don’t get bogged down in wordy, unnecessary extras). Why not give it a try?
Sometimes I just listen to music while I clean or do some crafting…
How often have you had the discussion about which was better -the book or the movie? All the time, right? And how often do you pick the movie over the book? Not as often as you pick the book, right? Well, I’ve got a win/win for you this week! You can read the book *and* watch the movie, in any order, and walk away thinking, “that was great!” Are you curious yet?
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson blends his personal experiences and life journey with his drive to create social justice and encourage us all to get involved. I read this book when it first came out, and have enjoyed it as an audio book as well, and I think part of what makes Mr. Stevenson’s book so special is how a reader can emotionally connect to experiences, feeling his pain and his joy, while breaking down those systemic issues surrounding the inequality of our justice system. Founder of the Equal Justice Initiative leading force in the creation of the Legacy Museum as well as the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, Mr. Stevenson is changing our World for the better!
“But what about Just Mercy as a movie?” you ask. This movie focused in on how Mr. Stevenson became Mr. Walter McMillian’s lawyer over other experiences in the book. Sometimes it’s that trimming that can leave a reader feeling like something was missing, but I would be surprised to hear that after you watch this film. Instead, I’d guess you might also think of this as an additional chapter to the book?
I hope you read *and* watch Just Mercy, and then -please, let me know what you think!
Read it or Weep 