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Find intrigue, chills, and thrills in these star-worthy crime novels in which skilled narrators add even more power to the twisty tales.
An auditory quest of heart and mind awaits in this star-earning fantasy about androids, robots, and family.
These two books set within the beauty industry offer insight into consumerism, self-worth, and influencers.
Get a head start on what fiction listeners will be clamoring for in July with this list of titles with high holds.
Help patrons who read with their ears get ahead of the crowd with these nonfiction titles topping the hold charts.
Both fantastic storytellers, Kowal (The Spare Man) and Kingfisher (What Moves the Dead) are a perfect pairing for this excellent Southern gothic, an essential purchase.
Mirabella’s ambitious novel tackles relationships, sexual orientation, and physical and mental healing. A layered tale that should appeal to fans of Emily Ruskovich’s Idaho or Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life.
PREMIUM
Cursed Bunny: Stories
Fans of unsettling short stories should give Chung’s twisted modern folk tales a listen. These visceral, smart tales, teaching their lessons through suffering, make an impact.
PREMIUM
The Woman Beyond the Sea
Yishai-Levi’s sensitive story of mother-daughter relationships and lives overturned by devastating circumstances makes an impact. Share with fans of Kelly Rimmer’s The Things We Cannot Say or Lena Manta’s The Gold Letter.
LaValle’s gorgeous prose and dynamic characters, combined with the horrific supernatural, make for a compelling listen. Share with fans of Alma Katsu, Erin E. Adams, and Isabel Cañas.
Listeners will love Damani’s attitude and resourcefulness as she confronts her daily struggles in this scathing and funny debut, flawlessly narrated by the author.
PREMIUM
Western Lane
Maroo’s brief but moving debut is in good hands with Soroya as a narrator. Recommend to readers of Alice McDermott and Lydia Millet and those who enjoy reflective coming-of-age stories. It should also have tremendous YA crossover appeal.
PREMIUM
House of Cotton
Fans of lushly described surroundings and winding plots will enjoy. An atmospheric, engrossing story for readers of Octavia E. Butler and Tananarive Due.
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Big Swiss
A unique story, blending grim humor with intimate, multilayered romance. Share with fans of Ottessa Moshfegh.
While scenes from the past and present are rough to hear, both narrators skillfully keep pace without losing sight of the characters. Listeners will pity young Gretel but want to invite the elder Gretel over for tea.
PREMIUM
This Other Eden
This quick listen packs a punch. An affecting novel that should appeal to fans of Jamila Minnicks’s Moonrise over New Jessup.
These stories will resonate with listeners and are excellent for book clubs. Pair with Omolola Ogunyemi’s Jollof Rice and Other Revolutions.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a small-town coming-of-age story about sorrow, shame, and survival. Recommended for fans of Delia Owens, Kristin Hannah, and Lisa Wingate.
PREMIUM
The Haunting of Alejandra
Listeners will be buoyed by Alejandra’s decision to find herself, save her children, and break free from generational curses. A feminist retelling that will appeal to fans of psychological horror and the works of Isabel Cañas and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Fans of books such as Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle and other dystopian novels will love this brilliant and haunting novel.
PREMIUM
Victory City
Narrator Sid Sagar imbues Rushdie’s (The Golden House) tale with a spellbinding atmosphere of magic and wonder, skillfully capturing the novel’s many characters and channeling Rushdie’s sly humor and insight. Rushdie’s many fans will be enthralled.
PREMIUM
The Hole We’re In
Though the Pomeroys are profoundly flawed and often misguided, they are characters to root for. A sensitive and astute book that is recommended for fans of Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s The Nest or Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere.
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The Red Balcony
Wilson’s thrilling historical fiction, combining a legal thriller with romance and intrigue, provides an absorbing audio experience. Highly recommended.
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Bad Cree
Johns is an exciting new Indigenous voice in the horror genre. Readers who enjoyed Stephen Graham Jones’s The Only Good Indians and Erika Wurth’s White Horse will not want to miss this.
PREMIUM
The Piano Tuner
Although the audio may present difficulties for some listeners, this novel is atmospheric and short enough that most listeners will walk away with food for thought or, at the very least, a deeper appreciation of classical music and piano.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a dark, dizzying domestic thriller steeped in menace and mistrust. Recommended for fans of Gillian Flynn, Ashley Audrain, and Riley Sager.
PREMIUM
The Curator
This convoluted story, full of illusion and mystery, is perfect for readers of horror-laced fantasy. Fans of Erin Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea, Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, or P. Djeli Clark’s A Master of Djinn will find much to love.
Natt och Dag’s latest is Shakespearean in scope. A tragic and chilling tale that should appeal to fans of historical mysteries and Scandi noir.
PREMIUM
White Cat, Black Dog: Stories
Patrons who enjoy the bizarre and fantastical will be enchanted. Share with fans of Christina Henry’s Into the Forest or A.A. Balaskovits’s Strange Folk You’ll Never Meet.
PREMIUM
The Enchanted April
Although it was published over 100 years ago, modern listeners should appreciate author von Arnim’s (Elizabeth and Her German Garden) lovely armchair trip to a sunny Mediterranean estate, where vacationers gaze at the glimmering sea and blooming gardens instead of smartphones and laptops.
PREMIUM
The Woman with the Cure
An engrossing and inspiring novel about the life of a brilliant scientific pioneer. Those interested in midcentury medical accomplishments will be captivated.
PREMIUM
Kismet
This sun-soaked romance is the perfect beach read and a winner for fans of Emily Henry, Elin Hilderbrand, and Dorothea Benton Frank.
PREMIUM
Time’s Undoing
Inspired by true events, the audiobook has a good sense of location and narration but is unevenly executed. Regardless, some listeners will find Meghan’s research methods fascinating.
PREMIUM
In the Upper Country
A vivid, engrossing tale for those interested in history and the narratives of enslaved people. Highly recommended.
PREMIUM
X
Davis’s sophomore novel is a beautiful lens through which to observe subcultures shunned by a puritanical future society, but Rubio’s lackluster narration inadequately serves this otherwise compelling work.
This is an exquisite marriage of writer and narrators. Every collection should include these brilliantly written stories that combine sharp social commentary with truly captivating characters.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a refreshing relationship fiction in the form of a funky, feel-good Three Men and a Baby fiasco. Recommended for fans of Jojo Moyes, Lisa Roe, and Carolyn Prusa.
PREMIUM
They’re Going To Love You
A gorgeously written book that is both hopeful and devastating, touching upon themes of dance, family, death, and ultimately, glorious life.
Highly recommended for all audio collections; for lovers of contemporary literary fiction and true crime podcasts.
PREMIUM
Night Letter
An affecting coming-of-age story that will have listeners hoping that Travis will find a path forward to a healthy, happy future. Recommended for fans of Charles Davis’s Drifting South.
PREMIUM
The One
Argy’s debut offers a savvy and pointed commentary on reality tv and its insidious effects on popular culture. A winner for fans of Laura Dave’s Hello, Sunshine or Holly James’s Nothing but the Truth.
PREMIUM
The Family Morfawitz
An epic tale that stretches across generations and continents, centered on a ruthless matriarch and her greedy and ambitious family. This book will appeal to those who love lush writing and do not mind irredeemable characters.
PREMIUM
Weyward
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an atmospheric blend of historical and literary fiction with an intense and intricate plot. Recommended for fans of Laurie Lico Albanese, Jacqueline Winspear, and Sarah Penner.
PREMIUM
The Society of Shame
Though full of laugh-out-loud moments, this refreshing listen also provides a scathing commentary on social media fame and the speed at which one’s fortunes can change. Perfect for fans of Bonnie Garmus’s Lessons in Chemistry and Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.
Penner (The Lost Apothecary) proves herself again to be a writer to watch. Recommend to fans of historical fiction, especially Victorian-era stories, who enjoy elements of the supernatural. Irwin’s and Wyndham’s theatrical performances make this a must-listen.
PREMIUM
Bad Fruit
A compelling and suspenseful psychological thriller that should appeal to fans of Jessamine Chan’s The School for Good Mothers.
PREMIUM
Greek Lessons
An outstanding literary novel that will please Kang’s fans and appeal to new listeners.
A contemporary classic about navigating friendship, love, faith, and culture. This timeless coming-of-age story is a must-purchase for all libraries.
PREMIUM
Users
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a suspenseful dystopian sci-fi that examines the tenuous relationship between technology and truth. Recommended for fans of Dave Eggers and Blake Crouch.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking immersive early American historical fiction about heroism and heartbreak. Recommended for fans of Jeannette Walls, Marie Benedict, and Kristin Hannah.
PREMIUM
Moonrise over New Jessup
Fans of historical fiction will find much to love in this book, which offers a different perspective on desegregation at the dawn of the civil rights era.
PREMIUM
A Thousand Miles to Graceland
This hilarious road-trip novel, bursting with eccentric characters and a neat ending, satisfies. A perfect fit for fans of Sara Goodman Confino’s She’s Up to No Good.
PREMIUM
Briardark
A promising otherworldly horror series that offers mystery, momentum, and a touch of sci-fi. Listeners will be glad to know that a sequel is due out in 2024.
PREMIUM
Queer Little Nightmares
Listeners will likely sympathize and perhaps even root for these monsters not because they are monstrous but because their status as outsiders is universally human.
PREMIUM
In the Time of Our History
Listeners will be swept up in Pari’s immersive tale, which is elevated by Marnò’s skillful narration. Suggest to fans of Marjan Kamali and Shokoofeh Azar.
PREMIUM
Someday, Maybe
Although the first two parts of Eve’s journey are better than the last, this audiobook makes a good book club read. Includes an author’s note with resources.
An engrossing work of historical literary fiction that is memorable and thought-provoking. Recommended for fans of Bethan Roberts’s My Policeman and Edmund White’s Jack Holmes and His Friend.
The book explores nearly every aspect and example of Black horror cinema, from recurring one-dimensional archetypes to surgical dissections of relevant films, but its overall message resonates. Black voices and creatives in cinema have made strides in representation, but there is clearly more work to do.
PREMIUM
All Hallows
Although this Halloween horror is deeply steeped in nostalgia, Golden doesn’t shy away from putting his characters, and listeners, through the emotional wringer. Recommended for fans of Dean Koontz, Grady Hendrix, and Joe Hill.
PREMIUM
Atomic Family
While historical fiction, the anxiety about pending nuclear disaster present in all the characters is eerily reminiscent of present-day concerns. Perfect for book clubs and fans of historical fiction and family drama.
Seemingly tailor-made for audio, this powerful book is a must-purchase. Olivarez’s invitation to share moments of his history, culture, love, and joy is wholly affecting.
PREMIUM
The Crock of Gold
Although this 1912 novel offers phrases and ideas that may seem out of sync with modern times, listeners will relish the opportunity to ponder life’s questions while enjoying elaborate descriptions of the Irish countryside, read in O’Brien’s lilting voice. An excellent addition to any audio classics collection.
PREMIUM
The Golden Doves
Kelly’s many fans will be transfixed by this account of courageous women spies who overcame terrifying odds and conflicting political interests to track down escaped Nazis after the close of World War II.
PREMIUM
Someone Else’s Shoes
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking fun friendship fiction with a dash of adventurous antics. Recommended for fans of Amy Poeppel, Catherine Newman, and Susan Mallery.
Abdurraqib is one of the preeminent cultural critics of our time, and his insightful essays give listeners much to consider, so long as the narration style works for them.
PREMIUM
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez
Jiménez’s prose and narration shine in this engaging and powerful debut novel exploring identity, trauma, and enduring familial bonds.
PREMIUM
A Guest at the Feast: Essays
This absorbing collection, so intimately told, is an excellent choice for any library seeking to expand on its religious and social commentary. Tóibín’s fans will want to dig in.
PREMIUM
What You Are Now
A play that questions and affirms the power of trauma, with mixed results in audio.
PREMIUM
The Tribe: Portraits of Cuba
Although some of the promises of the revolution did not materialize, these stories of human resilience and ingenuity provide hope for the future. Share with listeners seeking authentic stories of Cuban life; a great fit for fans of Anthony DePalma’s The Cubans or Leila Guerriero’s Cuba on the Verge.
PREMIUM
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself
This haunting novel of heartbreak and determination in the face of discrimination resonates. Recommended for fans of Ocean Vuong’s poetry and Julia Armfield’s Our Wives Under the Sea.
PREMIUM
Earth’s the Right Place for Love
Although this story can stand on its own, Berg’s many fans will enjoy learning about the backstory of her popular character Arthur Moses. Recommend to readers of coming-of-age stories and fans of Anne Tyler and Ann Hood.
PREMIUM
Looking for Jane
Borges’s narration and Marshall’s descriptions of dramatic scenes are so gripping that listeners will feel they’re right there with the characters. Give to listeners who enjoy audiobooks by Kristin Hannah and Lisa Wingate.
PREMIUM
The House of Eve
Johnson’s depiction of the triumphs and challenges encountered by both women should be a hit with book groups and listeners interested in timely historical fiction. Suggest to fans of Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half and Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s Take My Hand.
With Wheeler’s musical Sámi language pronunciations and Laestadius’s atmospheric prose, listeners are transported to this fragile Arctic landscape. Those who like social justice stories will cherish this unforgettable coming-of-age story and performance.
This well-produced, essential account of hip-hop music and culture will appeal to the genre’s many fans, as well as listeners who enjoy popular culture and oral history.
PREMIUM
Take What You Need
Suggested, but not essential, for libraries of the Southern Allegheny Mountain region. Those interested in metal sculpting may find the metalwork process compelling.
Anyone looking to revisit classics or broaden their reading interests will treasure Ojo’s and Nixon’s brilliant performances and Davis’s curated list of outstanding short fiction.
This deliciously fast-paced nonfiction audio will appeal to foodies, history buffs, and lingua-phile listeners alike.
PREMIUM
The Glass House
While listeners may piece together Julia’s past before she does, those seeking to explore weighty topics, including repressed memories, aging parents, bullying, and unconventional families, will enjoy.
PREMIUM
Brotherless Night
Ganeshananthan offers a history lesson that should be known and remembered. Recommended for all collections.
PREMIUM
In the Event of Death
An emotional and tender story of one woman’s growth set against the economic recession of 2008. Recommended for fans of Molly Fader and Anne Griffin.
Highly recommended, particularly for listeners interested in postcolonial Caribbean history, the enduring ties of family, and the aftermath of slavery.
PREMIUM
The Fake
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a short relationship fiction with hints of suspense and heaps of secrets. Recommended for fans of Kate Atkinson and Jillian Medoff.
PREMIUM
Continuity
A climate-charged spoof of filmmaking superficiality that solidly entertains but doesn’t quite soar. Directed in its excellent audio format by Anna Lyse Erikson and part of L.A. Theatre Works’ “Relativity Series” of science-themed plays.
While the Stocktons’ shenanigans may have some rolling their eyes, listeners will likely be captivated by this expertly narrated and often surprising tale. Perfect for fans of Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s The Nest.
PREMIUM
The Fraud Squad
The high drama and relatable main character make this perfect for fans of Crazy Rich Asians, The Devil Wears Prada, and The White Lotus.
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an intricate literary fiction about authors, ambition, and acceptance. Recommended for fans of Amy Poeppel and Gabrielle Zevin.
PREMIUM
The Keeper of Stories
This novel sometimes feels like a collection of short stories, with many tales nested within the whole; as such, it would be welcome in any collection where short stories do well. Share with fans of Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library or Ruth Hogan’s The Keeper of Lost Things.
Bringley brings emotional depth to his experiences, struggling to heal from his brother’s death and immersing himself in the museum’s beauty. Despite minor quibbles, this audio should find a welcome home in most audio collections.
This audiobook is an easy score worth the ticket price and a special treat for those yearning for bygone-era baseball or 1990s nostalgia.
PREMIUM
Jezebel’s Daughter
Collins’s intricate mystery features paragons of good and evil and characters who continue to surprise more than 140 years after the book’s initial publication. An excellent fit for mystery readers and anyone interested in Victorian “sensation” novels.
PREMIUM
Pandora
Vinall’s gripping characterizations combined with Stokes-Chapman’s intriguing mystery should appeal to fans of light historical suspense in the vein of Dana Schwartz’s Anatomy: A Love Story.
PREMIUM
Up with the Sun
Listeners will delight in hearing Dick schmooze with famous 1950s and 1960s celebrities and enjoy Matt’s romance and crime procedural story lines. A treat for book clubs.
This story, full of heart and hemorrhages, emphatically proves that literary beauty and gory kills aren’t mutually exclusive. Jade Daniels could be the horror heroine who will have both Freddy and Jason checking under their own beds.
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