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Library Journal is proud to announce a new partnership with the “Libraries Lead” podcast. Hosted by Mike Eisenberg (Professor and Dean Emeritus, U. of Washington iSchool), David Lankes (Virginia & Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship, University of Texas at Austin), and Beth Patin (Assistant Professor, Syracuse University's School of Information Studies), the show explores the various social, cultural, and technological issues shaping (and being shaped by) libraries and librarians. New episodes drop monthly, and past episodes are now available at librarieslead.libraryjournal.com.
PREMIUM
Cabaret Macabre
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a richly detailed historical mystery with a classic Christie-esque detective denouement. Recommended for fans of Nicola Upson, Fiona Davis, and Jessica Fellowes.
PREMIUM
The Widow Spy
Recommended for those who enjoyed Greer Macallister’s Girl in Disguise or Eric Lerner’s Pinkerton’s Secret, both of which imagine other adventures with Kate Warne at the center.
Everhart’s (Wanderlust) latest is a perfect love story for cautious wounded hearts who need a bit of hope.
PREMIUM
Ghost Station
Barnes crafts an oppressive space horror that’s equally a psychological and bodily nightmare, with Johnson’s narration providing additional layers of dread. Fans of the Alien film franchise will feel right at home with this title.
PREMIUM
The Witches of Bellinas
Jones’s lyrically written fever dream of a novel turns power and submission upside down, questioning the nature of gender hierarchy, agency, and empowerment. A haunting pick for fans of Nicola Yoon’s One of Our Kind.
PREMIUM
The Twilight Garden
An uplifting story about shared space, shared lives, and the benefits of individuals working together for a common purpose.
PREMIUM
Lavash at First Sight
A great choice for libraries adding to LGBTQIA+ romance collections or wanting to broaden their contemporary romance section.
PREMIUM
The Stone Home
Harrowing and powerful, this audiobook captures a heartbreaking moment in South Korean history.
PREMIUM
The Astrology House
The fraught relationships, deeply held secrets, and mysteries of astrology might pique the interest of listeners seeking suspense about betrayal and revenge.
PREMIUM
The Wren in the Holly Library
Fans of fairy tales and romantasy will be delighted. Perfect for those who enjoyed the sexy intrigue of Kerri Maniscalco’s Throne of the Fallen.
PREMIUM
Man’s Best Friend
A disagreeable story about the dubious trade-offs of wealth and privilege. Optional for most libraries.
PREMIUM
Hidden Rooms
Featuring genuinely moving depictions of women facing chronic, mysterious illnesses, this fresh debut will be welcomed by those who love strong women protagonists and small-town mysteries.
PREMIUM
All This and More
Despite the thought-provoking premise and outstanding narration, Shepherd’s choose-your-own-adventure novel is somewhat confusing in audio and may be better experienced in print.
PREMIUM
Joe Nuthin’s Guide to Life
Recommended for all libraries and for reflective listeners seeking tenderly depicted characters who tug at the heartstrings. Perfect for fans of Frances Maynard’s The Seven Rules of Elvira Carr.
PREMIUM
Can You Hear Me?
This fascinating peek into the mind of a remarkable inventor is appropriate for family listening.
PREMIUM
Cross the Line
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a steamy, sporty contemporary romance. Recommended for fans of Elena Armas, Tessa Bailey, and Libby Hubscher.
A satirical look at the cultish nature of beauty and influencer mentality, Sathue’s debut deserves to be heard. Jackson’s narration pops and snaps the sharp dialogue and alliterative writing like bubblegum. Similarly disturbing tales about the dark side of the beauty industry are Ling Ling Huang’s Natural Beauty and Mona Awad’s Rouge.
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Nearly half of current audiobook consumers had borrowed a digital audiobook from their library in the last year, according to the survey. “The BookTok/Bookstagram space has changed discoverability,” says Jolene Barto, marketing director of Dreamscape Media. “And with Spotify entering as a retailer this year, we’re seeing new opportunities.
PREMIUM
The Material
Thoughtful and profound, but less funny than one might expect, this examination of the lives of comedy students may appeal to fans of Julius Taranto’s How I Won a Nobel Prize.
This is a powerful work with beautiful prose, heartbreaking dialogue, and emotional heft. The superb narration enhances the book, making it a valuable addition to any audio fiction collection.
Audio cookbooks, memoirs, fantasy, horror, and more. This fall’s audiobook stars offer auditory delights across all genres.
This season’s unputdownable audiobooks include irreverent adventures, heart-pounding thrillers, and nuanced crime fiction.
From bloody folk horror to the terrors lurking behind small-town facades, audio horror fans will find nightmares aplenty.
Three titles offer sensitive portraits of sisters navigating tensions wrought by childhood trauma, mental illness, and grief, and the engaging, exasperating dynamics of family drama.
These three dynamic listens provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of the people behind the music, including the trailblazing all-women Liverpudlian band the Liverbirds, Hootie & the Blowfish lead Darius Rucker, and Serj Tankian, the lead of Armenian American heavy metal band System of Down.
Across a range of genres and subjects, the sounds of stories unfold in a symphonic spree. From novels centered on characters to nonfiction delving into history, there are choices to support all listeners ready to spend the fall deep in works that provide respite, joy, illumination, and escape.
PREMIUM
Indian Burial Ground
Medina explores how generational trauma takes root in a family and on a reservation. Much like Indigenous horror writers Stephen Graham Jones and Erika T. Wurth, Medina demonstrates how to write a story with both horror and heart.
Listeners seeking endearing characters and spooky vibes will be enchanted with this winning rom-com. Share with fans of Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics or Lana Harper’s From Bad to Cursed.
These interconnected stories centered on the craft of writing are both intriguing and thought-provoking. Suggest to fans of Carmen Maria Machado.
PREMIUM
One of Our Kind
A gripping book for those seeking a suspenseful novel that grapples with race, identity, and privilege. Listeners who enjoyed Jordan Peele’s Get Out will want to check out this provocative slow-burn thriller, sure to terrify and spark intense conversation in equal measure.
With a blend of personal stories, scientific insights, and cultural analysis, listeners will be captivated. Hari’s personal journey and the extensive research into obesity and the pros and cons of new treatments resonate deeply.
A haunting story, interlacing exciting tales of adventure with philosophical musings on the human condition.
PREMIUM
My Beloved Life
Examining a father’s choices and the outcomes of his decisions on his family, Kumar’s intergenerational story is recommended for listeners seeking an affecting story of love and loss.
Upholt’s thought-provoking natural history considers the past and the possible future of the Mississippi River. An excellent recommendation for those interested in the intersection of history, the environment, and public works.
PREMIUM
Diavola
This immersive gothic haunted house tale will have listeners questioning whether the true horror is the ghosts or the family dynamics. Recommend to fans of Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison and How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix.
PREMIUM
Bless Your Heart
This campy and creepy debut full of Southern charm includes a cast of distinctive characters enhanced by the audio experience. Ryan hits the sweet spot of combining horror and mystery with humor that will attract a wide variety of listeners, including ones who may not think they enjoy horror.
PREMIUM
The Murder Inn
The suspense and the body count mount in Patterson and Fox’s exciting thriller, a follow-up to their bestselling The Inn. Fans of this popular writing duo will be satisfied.
PREMIUM
Cirque du Slay
With its intriguing circus setting and fascinating glimpses into the main characters’ dating columns, this mystery satisfies. Suggest to fans of Mark Waddell’s The Body in the Back Garden or Ellen Hart’s “Jane Lawless” mystery series.
A thoughtful and balanced memoir, tracing a daughter’s complicated relationship with parents who lived much of their lives in the public eye.
A terrifying tale for fans of Christopher Golden’s The House of Last Resort. Listeners will be hooked from the beginning and may find themselves unable to hit pause.
PREMIUM
The Father She Went To Find
Wilson’s (The Dead Husband) propulsive psychological thriller boasts an intriguing premise and plenty of narrow escapes. It’s occasionally over the top, but riveting.
PREMIUM
The Hunter’s Daughter
A riveting story, combining elements of a psychological thriller and supernatural horror with discussions of mental health.
PREMIUM
Love Letters to a Serial Killer
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intricate, unsettling psychological thriller about serial killers and the women who love them. Recommended for fans of Karen E. Olson and Ana Reyes.
An excellent reading of a pivotal naval encounter that changed the tide of the war. Recommended for those who enjoyed Stephen Budiansky’s Perilous Fight, James P. Delgado’s War at Sea, or Garrett M. Graff’s When the Sea Came Alive.
PREMIUM
Crow Talk
Recommended for those seeking a family drama centered on healing, reconciliation, and friendship.
PREMIUM
The Same Bright Stars
Sensitive, character-driven literary fiction, satisfying and quietly nostalgic. Recommended for those who enjoyed Jennifer Close’s Marrying the Ketchups.
PREMIUM
Road to Ruin
Lee creates a literary cocktail that will dance upon the tastebuds of fans of Mad Max, the popular video game Borderlands, and Dungeons & Dragons.
PREMIUM
My First Book
An occasionally disorienting but revealing listen about the highs and lows of life in the Internet age.
This candid, sensitively narrated audiobook speaks to a little-addressed but important topic. A recommended purchase to enhance social science, memoir, and disability studies collections.
An exceptional collection of essays evoking the clickety-clack of the tracks and the thinking space afforded by train travel.
Sepúlveda’s (The Shadow of What We Were) tale and Guerra’s impeccable narration offer a profound exploration of human resilience and people’s enduring connection to nature. Highly recommended for all literary fiction collections.
PREMIUM
Love You, Mean It
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a cute contemporary romance full of mouthwatering foods and heartwarming fun. Recommended for fans of Tessa Bailey and Emily Henry.
A highly recommended, refreshing, and hilarious counterpoint to the often-negative stereotypes associated with aging. Pair with Nora Ephron’s I Feel Bad About My Neck or Steven Petrow’s Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old.
PREMIUM
Wilderness Reform
Supernatural horror and summer camp folklore make for a thrilling and entertaining ride. Recommended for fans of Nick Cutter’s The Troop or Chuck Tingle’s Camp Damascus.
PREMIUM
All’s Fair in Love and War
A sweet Regency romance with enjoyable characters and sensually described tension that will keep listeners enchanted until the end. Recommended for fans of Martha Waters’s To Have and To Hoax.
Listeners seeking classically told horror with the bite of visceral splatterpunk need look no further. A mesmerizing and unputdownable collection that shocks, provokes, and appalls.
PREMIUM
When We Were Silent
The audiobook, while filled with upsetting moments of grooming and abuse, will cause listeners to speed to the end to find out if Lou receives justice. Recommend to readers of noir mysteries and psychological suspense.
A satisfying mystery, enhanced by excellent narration and an intriguing introduction to Saffron’s Moriarty.
This audio will appeal to those seeking a moving memoir about accepting mortality with grace. Recommended for fans of inspiring autobiographies about end-of-life care, such as Amy Wright Glenn’s Holding Space or Barbara Becker’s Heartwood.
A singular short story collection about Lagosian women grappling with romance, sexuality, agency, and betrayal. Share with those who are interested in emerging African writers and don’t mind a dose of raunch.
PREMIUM
When Among Crows
A great recommendation for listeners seeking an action-packed fantasy without the romance. Recommend to fans of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods or Cassandra Clare’s “The Shadowhunter Chronicles” series.
PREMIUM
Cobra Pose
Listeners hoping for a little armchair travel, complete with a fun mystery and endearing characters, need look no further.
PREMIUM
When I Was Alice
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a historical Hollywood mystery with a time-travel twist. Recommended for fans of Renee Patrick and Kelley Armstrong.
The U.S. Bureau of the Census predicts that by 2060, one in three Americans will claim Latino heritage. Their story is an American tale that deserves to be heard.
PREMIUM
The Return of Ellie Black
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intricate, intensifying suspense about kidnapping and control. Recommended for fans of Stacy Willingham, Karin Slaughter, and Amy Tintera.
PREMIUM
The Library of Borrowed Hearts
Gilmore’s (The Lonely Hearts Book Club) romantic tale is recommended for fans of bookish listens with a twist.
PREMIUM
Instructions for Traveling West
A sincere and moving narration. Sullivan’s raw, enigmatic debut will easily win listeners over and will be a collection to revisit again and again. A marvel.
PREMIUM
The Sleepwalkers
A bleakly amusing he said/she said that makes excellent use of the audio format.
This nuanced work on the history of museums addresses debates about cultural appropriation and offers solutions to help museum workers become more adept at addressing colonial legacies. A good pairing with Bénédicte Savoy’s Africa’s Struggle for Its Art, which describes African nations’ attempts to repatriate looted artworks.
Nussbaum’s well-researched and philosophical discussion of the impact of reality television reveals the influence that it has had, not only on the entertainment industry but on society as a whole. Insightful, unsettling, and thought-provoking.
PREMIUM
The Main Character
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking compelling contemporary suspense with nods to Agatha Christie classics. Recommended for fans of Laura Dave, Alice Feeney, and Paula Hawkins.
PREMIUM
Leaving
Listeners will recognize parallels with operatic tragedy in the structure of Robinson’s (Dawson’s Fall) latest novel. Recommended for those who love high drama and fraught family dynamics.
PREMIUM
Swamp Kings: The Story of the Murdaugh Family of South Carolina & a Century of Backwoods Power
A solid recommendation for true crime buffs and those who enjoyed Mandy Matney’s Blood on Their Hands.
PREMIUM
Jackpot Summer
An engaging listen, highlighting the importance of family, the inevitability of change, and the allure of money. Friedland’s fans will be pleased.
PREMIUM
The Lady He Lost
Delacour’s debut romance is sure to delight those seeking historical romance with echoes of Persuasion and the TV show Poldark.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking cinematic science biography. Recommended for fans of Markel’s previous medical histories, such as The Kelloggs: The Battling Brothers of Battle Creek.
PREMIUM
Kill for Me, Kill for You
Tension builds steadily, and while some may guess the central mystery in this tale of many mysteries, they’ll enjoy the ride nonetheless.
PREMIUM
Twilight Territory
Romance, war, and the politics of colonialism come together in a tragic, intricately described historical fiction.
Enhanced by strong narration, this timely debut sensitively addresses a crucial and divisive topic. Pair with Kathleen M. Crowther’s Policing Pregnant Bodies or Felicia Kornbluh’s A Woman’s Life Is a Human Life.
PREMIUM
Tree Pose
An entertaining, superbly narrated audio mystery for those seeking action, intrigue, and romance.
This will have listeners believing in a new, inclusive resurgence of the urban fantasy subgenre. Recommended for fans of Laurell K. Hamilton’s “Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter” series.
PREMIUM
Truly, Madly, Deeply
Lambda Literary Award winner Bellefleur (The Fiancée Farce) is a genius when it comes to contemporary queer romances. Her newest novel, full of delicious thrills and steamy intimacy, is a delight.
PREMIUM
The Familiar
Bardugo’s venture into the Spanish Golden Age translates well into audio, emphasizing a deeply seductive and lushly detailed atmosphere that intrigues and delights. Suggest to listeners of romantasy and those who enjoy fantastical elements in historical settings.
PREMIUM
The Lost Story
Shaffer’s (The Wishing Game) second novel presents a marvelous fairy-tale world, channeling the nostalgic wonder of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia. Despite some similarities in the characters’ voices, this enchanting portal story is highly recommended.
Huston’s (Skinner) newest is an excellent listen for those seeking a reality-bending fantasy with a quirky protagonist. Libraries hoping to offer tales that are off the beaten path will want to check this out.
PREMIUM
Old Flames and New Fortunes
A warm start to a small-town, magic-laced romance series. Recommended for fans of witchy romances in the vein of Ann Aguirre’s Witch Please.
PREMIUM
A Grave Robbery
A sparkling production and highly recommended purchase for any audio mystery collection. Recommend to fans of Elizabeth Peters’s Amelia Peabody series.
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