You know we're partial to a good, old-fashioned physical books around here. But stories can take all sorts of forms, and (much as we'd like) we don't always have time to sit and read the day away.

That's where audiobooks come in. If you didn't know, we're all pretty big fans. Most of the staff listens to audiobooks on constant rotation—during our morning walks, through drives across town, on long afternoons spent in the garden, and any other time we can think of. So we were understandably pretty excited when we heard that our friends at Libro.fm were giving away free audiobooks for a year.

Okay guys, breaking news: Books are the best. These seven books, to get a little more specific, are among the best new releases to grace our shelves this summer. Whatever your mood—dark and twisty, lighthearted, inspirational, or strange—we've got just the thing for you to take home. Gorgeous illustrations your jam? Hello, here's the new Dan Santat. A quiet, inisghtful character study that spans a lifetime of hopes and heartaches? Anne Tyler's latest stands among her very best. Something to listen to while you tackle that morning jog? You simply must get to know Melissa Radke (psst! She's visiting us on Monday). Tuck in, friends. It's summertime, and the reading is wonderful.

We know it's still summer, but if our pile of recently-read books is anything to go by, we're already thinking about back-to-school. A pair of recent picture books tackle that topic with humor and charm, while a new YA thriller takes the creepy boarding school premise to chilling heights. School stories aren't your speed? Try some books about family—both the kind that you want to welcome into your arms, like the Indian immigrants of A Place for Us, and the kind that you would give anything to escape, like the reality-TV-star zealots of The Book of Essie. Or, escape to the Appalachians with Rice Moore in the dazzling new thriller Bearskin—just what is he running from, anyway? If you're in the mood for something light and sweet, indulge in the latest literary mish-mash from YA authors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows. The point is: Read. Read! Whatever your mood, we'll help you find something you'll like.