Book Bytes: Audiobook Favorites from Libro.fm

Have you heard about our audiobook partner, Libro.fm? It's a wonderful platform, full of smart, opinionated recommendations from real booksellers (including some of yours truly)—which makes it much better than whatever some anonymous computer algorithm recommends, as far as we're concerned. How do they do it? By partnering with and supporting over 500 independent bookstores around the country. Setting up an account with Libro means supporting your local community. What's not to love?

They're also running a spectacular deal right now for new customers switching from the Amazon-owned Audible platform: Join Libro.fm, support your local bookstore by doing so, and get three audiobooks for the price of one. Jeffrey doesn't really need more money, does he?

Here are some of our very favorite audiobooks to get you started—you can also order paper copies at the bottom of the page.

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Valerie's Picks

American Pop by Snowden Wright; read by Robert Petkoff

"Southern drama, drinking, backstabbing, love, hate, and everything in between. Perfect for any historical fiction or southern fiction fan."

Try it if you like: A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty, The Sugar Queen, or Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Length: Eight morning rush hours on 610. (12 hours 19 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

 

The Mermaid & Mrs. Hancock by Imogen Hermes Gowar; read by Juliet Stevenson

"Mr. Hancock, an upstanding ship owner, comes into possession of a dead mermaid. How does he make money from this? Enter stage left some of the most engaging women characters to lounge about your reading. A hilarious, poignant, sometimes bawdy novel about the place in society all women hold."

Try it if you like: Sarah Waters, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, or Nights at the Circus

Length: A roadtrip to Phoenix. No idea why you're going to Phoenix. (17 hours 18 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

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Julia's Pick

Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey; read by Robin Miles

"Liz Kendall is a devoted mother of two children… but one night she finds an inner strength she didn't know she had inside. This inner strength has a name, and it wants revenge. A great supernatural thriller that blurs the edges of the world we know."

Try it if you like: The Shining Girls or Sawkill Girls better than the Gilmore girls.

Length: A month’s worth of creepy morning jogs. (17 hours 10 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

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Cathy's Picks

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas; read by Bahni Turpin

"One of the most important books I have listened to in the past few years. Angie Thomas tells the story of Starr, a high school student who witnesses a police shooting and must decide how to use her voice in the aftermath. Thomas creates a world full of characters who live within the reader long after the story is done."

Try it if you like: Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, or books that get eight (!!) starred reviews.

Length: The rest of the world stops when you listen to this one—find someplace comfy. (11 hours 40 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

 

Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee; read by Kim Mai Guest

"Min is shocked by the news that her brother Jun has deserted the space force in search of the Dragon Pearl, so she sets off to prove his innocence, using her family's ancient magic of shapeshifting. This latest story from Rick Riordan Presents crosses Korean Mythology with science fiction, and is fantastic to listen to. A great combination for grades 4 and up!"

Try it if you like: Rick Riordan, of course. We'll throw out The Epic Crush of Genie Lo and Aru Shah and the End of Time, too.

Length: Two and a half Lord of the Rings movies. (10 hours 18 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

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Barb's Pick

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak; read by Markus Zusak

"Markus Zusak reads this himself, which adds something very special. The story is set in Australia, and hearing the author’s own Australian accent really puts you there. It’s a great family saga with five brothers, and Zusak is able to give a distinctive voice to each character. It’s great writing, and great narration…. Just dreamy."

Try it if you like: The Light Between Oceans, The Nightingale, or dreamy accents.

Length: Just less than a non-stop flight to Sydney. (14 hours 42 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

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Kimberly's Pick

Calypso by David Sedaris; read by David Sedaris

"Listening to David Sedaris read his memoirs is an enterntaining experience like no other. Calypso reveals some darker moments than his previos books, but still provides laughs along the way."

Try it if you like: David Sedaris. And who doesn't?

Length: The best round-trip drive to Austin you've ever had (with some traffic, naturally). (6 hours 38 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

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Jennifer's Pick

Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer; read by Benjamin Dreyer & Alison Fraser

"Listening to this is so much fun. Dreyer has a droll wit—occasionally smug, in a charming way—and he turns grammar and style into an entertaining puzzle. And this stuff really does matter! It’s a great listen. I’ve been snorting with laughter having to rewind to hear what I missed!"

Try it if you like: Eats, Shoots, and Leaves or The Mother Tongue.

Length: Just enough time to get your garden in tip-top shape. (9 hours 38 minutes)

Order it now from Libro.fm

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