Sometimes the Audiobook is Better

If you enjoyed A Little Devil in America, then you’ll love Black Nerd Problems.

“Searingly incisive, emotionally honest, LOL funny, and delivered with intense and sincere passion. Evans and Holmon thoughtfully explore issues of representation and stereotypes in forms of entertainment that often either get disregarded or receive a free pass. Even if you don’t know your X-Men from your X-Box, you’ll find plenty of food for thought here.”

Kevin, Narberth Bookshop

A Best Book of 2021 by NPR and Esquire

From Kliph Nesteroff, “the human encyclopedia of comedy” (VICE), comes the important and underappreciated story of Native Americans and comedy.

It was one of the most reliable jokes in Charlie Hill’s stand-up routine: “My people are from Wisconsin. We used to be from New York. We had a little real estate... Read more »

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story offers a profoundly revealing vision of the American past and present.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • NPR • Marie Claire
 
In late August 1619, a ship arrived in the British colony of... Read more »

I'm Glad My Mom Died

“This was one of my top listens of 2022. McCurdy is a compelling storyteller with wonderful narration. I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s a darkly funny, heartbreaking story. But ultimately an inspiring one you won’t soon forget.”

Avery, Downtown Books

A Lady for a Duke

“If there are two things in this world that I love, it is historical romance and trans rights. And OOH BABY let me tell you, I got both!!! This is a slow burn friends to lovers story. It has it all: sexy dukes, female friendships, regency era passive aggressiveness, and fancy balls. Plus if you are worried about their being any emphasis on transgender suffering, I promise you it does not! It is all trans happiness, love, and joy. It was such a breath of fresh air and exactly what queer people need. I can only hope we get more books like this in the future. ”

Ruthie, Underground Books

Lakelore

“Written in the exquisite lyrical manner that Anna-Marie McLemore does better than anyone, Lakelore is a vibrant and sensitive exploration of gender identity and neurodivergence. Their writing is always luminous and honest; their use of magical realism is powerful; and their deftness and care in writing about ADHD, Dyslexia, bullying, trans, and non-binary lives is excellent. I listened on Libro.fm and it was a delightfully multi-sensory experience between the illustrative writing and talented voice actors.”

Ashleigh, Wellesley Books

The Blacktongue Thief

“Whew! What a delight! Come on an epic adventure a la Dungeons & Dragons style. Our thief/rogue is in trouble (as always) and must get out of town. Ah! a quest awaits! Christopher Buehlman does his own reading in the audio version and it is absolutely fantastic and I will absolutely listen to it again.”

Liesl, Boulder Book Store

If you enjoyed Station Eleven, then you’ll love How High We Go in the Dark.

“I must admit, i wasn’t thrilled about ANOTHER virus book. But this isn't ANOTHER virus book at all, instead it is a deep dive into what happens to humans when they’re pushed against a wall, all told 39 Minutes at a time. This one’s a driveway listen for sure.”

Angie, The Country Bookshop

William C. Morris YA Debut Award Winner!
A hilarious YA contemporary realistic novel about a witty Black French Canadian teen who moves to Austin, Texas, and experiences the joys, clichés, and awkward humiliations of the American high school experience—including falling in love. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon, When Dimple Met Rishi, and John... Read more »

Other Words for Home

“The new words, tasting like America, on our lips." A beautifully-written story of a young Syrian girl's journey to Cincinnati and learning to live her everyday life of a school kid in America. Jude struggles to be brave in making new friends, in auditioning for the school play and in thinking of her brother and father back home.”

Ernio, River Bend Bookshop

Your House Will Pay

“Riveting story of two families struggles as racial violence has forever bound them together.”

Mollie, HearthFire Books and Treats

There There

“There There is the kind of book that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go, even after you’ve turned the last page. It is a work of fiction, but every word of it feels true. Tommy Orange writes with a palpable anger and pain, telling the history of a cultural trauma handed down through generations in the blood and bones and stories of individual lives. He also writes with incredible heart and humor, infusing his characters with a tangible humanity and moments of joy even as they are headed toward tragedy. There There has claimed a permanent spot in my heart despite having broken it, or maybe because it did. I think this may be the best book I’ve ever read.”

Heather Weldon, Changing Hands

Lincoln in the Bardo

“Saunders' first novel has a steep entry curve. It's not a novel that reveals itself quickly and easily, but if you give it your attention, if you burrow deep into the book, you'll be eminently rewarded. There is a richness and depth of humanity here. There is the strange and wonderful. There is love and grief and mystery all brought together in the story of Abraham Lincoln's dead son, the Civil War, and what may happen to us all after we leave the mortal coil. It's a beautiful and moving book that will stay with you for a long, long while.”

Jason Vanhee, University Book Store

“[An] affecting and hilarious meditation on fame and prestige as seen through the lens of an airline loyalty program.” —The AV Club

A hilarious and honest new book in which John Hodgman, New York Times bestselling author of Vacationland, leaves vacation behind and gets back to work as a still somewhat famous person . . . and then loses his job.... Read more »

Imperfect Union

“This tale of ambition, expansion, and fame will have you riveted from the start. The story of Jessie and John Frémont is one that exemplifies how the America we know today was made. Inskeep paints a picture of the American landscape through adventure, nature, politics, and the flaws of truly great individuals.”

Autumn, The Country Bookseller

“I am three years old and will have to grow up with the hostility of others. I am already an outlaw in my own country, an outlaw in the world. I am three years old, and I don’t yet know that I am stateless.”Habiburahman was born in 1979 and raised in a small village in western Burma. When he was three years old, the country’s military leader... Read more »

Sadie

“Engrossing, thrilling and original. The story alternates between a podcast format and Sadie’s voice. Sadie is a compelling protagonist - strong, determined and on a mission. Fantastic listen!”

Jennifer, East City Bookshop

HIS DARK MATERIALS IS NOW AN HBO ORIGINAL SERIES STARRING DAFNE KEEN, RUTH WILSON, ANDREW SCOTT, AND LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA!

Featuring an exclusive bonus interview between the author, Philip Pullman, and His Dark Materials star, Ruth Wilson.

The modern fantasy classic that Entertainment Weekly named an “All-Time Greatest Novel” and Newsweek hailed as... Read more »

Calypso

“Calypso by David Sedaris is laugh out loud hysterical in true Sedaris fashion. Listening to him read and deliver his stories is like listening to a stand-up comedian. This collection is fairly personal and many stories involve his family and their adventures in his North Carolinian beach house, aptly name the “Sea Section”. Sedaris manages to tackle even difficult issues like suicide and aging with grace and just the right amount of self-deprecation mixed with brutal honesty. Highly recommend!”

Phyllis, Wellesley Books

From Obama's former communications director and current co-host of Pod Save America comes a colorful account of how politics, the media, and the Internet changed during the Obama presidency and how Democrats can fight back in the Trump era.

On November 9th, 2016, Dan Pfeiffer woke up like most of the world wondering WTF just happened. How had... Read more »