Discover more listening recommendations from the Audible Editors.
As someone in a second-chance relationship, I have a soft spot for college love stories that take a few tries to get it right, so this was right up my alley. Despite a rocky past, undergrads Robbie and Marigold are paired up on a psych project about love at first sight, and their feelings couldn’t be more different on the topic. Their icy interactions thaw as they interview couples about their relationships, delivering laugh-out-loud banter and some truly endearing moments. Plus, I absolutely adore Santino Fontana’s performance as Robbie, who you may recognize as Hans from Frozen or as the voice of Joe Goldberg in the You series. Thankfully, Robbie is no Joe (good news for Marigold), and he will surely capture your heart, just as he did mine. —Tori L.
This pandemic thriller is layered with suspense, twins, and dark memories. Or are these dark visions something more than memories? Grace has lost her job. Her mother, Jackie, moves in to help with expenses, and a nightmare ensues for both. Grace is a dreamer, not the warm and fuzzy kind; instead, she dreams all things horrible, including the death of her sister—and she takes us along for the ride. I didn’t know where I was sometimes—in real time or bedtime. Narrator Sophie Amoss is a driving force as she deftly gives voice to the characters, making you feel all the anguish and the crazy between mom and daughter. The epilogue, delivered by David de Vries, will make everything okay. Sweet dreams. —Yvonne D.
Ann Napolitano’s latest novel, Hello Beautiful, has absorbed my entire being. Period. Full stop. I was completely drawn into this unique tale of love, family, friendship, and forgiveness from the first chapter. With nods to one of my favorites, Little Women, this story is layered and deeply human. From being teary-eyed at how William was treated by his parents, to not agreeing with some of the choices made by the Padavano women, I was emotionally invested in the five main characters as if they were my own siblings. Napolitano’s complex character building, paired with Maura Tierney’s (of TV’s ER) narration, made for a listen that I savored every part of, and will be thinking about for a long time. —Patty R.
Life lessons from an American icon
Do I really need to explain why I’m excited for this Audible Original podcast? For starters, it’s hosted by the Michelle Obama (a.k.a., the former FLOTUS, bestselling author of two memoirs, wellness advocate, and all-around icon), and she’s invited a seriously impressive roster of guests—Gayle King, Hoda Kotb, and David Letterman, just to name a few. Together, they’ll explore important topics like family, identity, and relationships. I can’t wait to hear Mrs. Obama’s insights and inspirational advice, all recorded in front of a live, energetic audience who shares in my enthusiasm for her wisdom. —Rachael X.
After listening to Jeannette Walls narrate her groundbreaking memoir, The Glass Castle, it comes as no surprise that hers is the perfect voice to perform this vivid coming-of-age story. Set in Appalachia before and during Prohibition, the novel’s central character, Sallie Kincaid, has a freewheeling and powerful father, the “Duke.” He’s a man she thinks can “hang the moon.” Yes, her father is a force, but so is Sallie. It’s an epic tale full of tangled family bonds, explosive romantic relationships, hucksters, and opportunists. Against the odds, Sallie navigates it all and becomes one of the most memorable characters I’ve encountered in a long time. —Tricia F.
My favorite romance lead of the year so far!
Kate Clayborn is one of those wonderful writers who seems to be getting better with each book. Everything about this story is perfection: This is small-town romance done right with such a lovingly depicted and real setting (raises hand as someone who grew up near coastal Virginia!). It's grumpy vs. sunshine, but with such a devastatingly authentic backstory for Levi that the trope really sings here. And then there's Georgie, who I dare you not to fall absolutely in love with. She embraces something that most of us stash behind a mountain of imposter syndrome, that feeling of not knowing who we are meant to be. But she's done running away from herself, and her vulnerability turns out to be her superpower. The deftness with which Clayborn peels back all the layers to Georgie and Levi's story is remarkable, and not to be missed. —Emily C.
Lessons learned from a life lived with chronic illness
About a decade ago, I suddenly grew quite ill. My calendar filled with an endless rotation of specialist appointments and testing: Blood draws were a mundanity, energy and appetite a distant memory. It took nearly a year for me to finally be diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition affecting the digestive system. Millions of Americans, like me, and like National Book Award-winning scholar Imani Perry, face each day through the lens of chronic illness. In her absolute stunner of a memoir, Perry details her experience living with systemic lupus and the agonies of navigating a culture oft-incompatible with invisible disabilities. “In living with disease,” Perry writes, “we bear witness to something important about the human condition, something that is worth the world’s attention.” Now, it’s up to us to listen. —Alanna M.
A novel read by the author is always a treat, and I loved Claire Jiménez’s knockout performance of her fiction debut. What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez follows a family that discovers their long-lost missing sister is not only alive but starring on a reality TV show. When sisters Jessica and Nina and mom Dolores set out on a road trip to rescue Ruthy, chaos and hilarity ensue. Told in alternating viewpoints, including Ruthy’s, we hear how the 12 years since the teen’s disappearance have shaped each woman’s life in this stirring story of loss, survival, and bravery. —Margaret H.
A magical suspense story set in the American West
The story of America’s westward expansion is scary enough—the eerie vastness of the prairie, howling winds that could drive pioneers mad, the claiming of lands stolen from Indigenous peoples. Now consider that some early settlers were women on their own—some Asian, Hispanic, or, in the case of Lone Women’s Adelaide, Black. With the same mesmerizing magic with which he conjured New York in The Changeling, Victor LaValle evokes an American West both riveting and horrifying as it draws Adelaide—fleeing a family tragedy with nothing but a mysterious and ominously heavy suitcase—to a remote cabin in 1915 Montana. A screen adaptation of The Changeling is set to debut on Apple TV, so now is the time to get to know this master of supernatural literary suspense. —Kat J.
Connection that spans generations
I haven’t felt this connected to characters in a long time. Good Enemy tells multiple stories, time-jumping between 1984 and 2021, as Howard (Francis Jue) tries to improve his relationship with his daughter, Momo (Geena Quintos). As things unfold, you begin to understand that Howard’s past life in China is his ticket to a future with his daughter. It’s hard to pick my favorite part, but in a play filled with complex topics of oppression and isolation, the comedic timing of Yilong Liu’s production cannot be overlooked. From Howard meeting Momo’s boyfriend to his disdain for social media, I couldn’t help but think of my own father. I still remember teaching him Facebook and regretting it instantly. Now, I wouldn’t give up that memory, though my dad might! It’s a reminder that the unspoken bond between people matters. Human connection matters. And so does this listen. —Caitlyn L.
Past meets present in the Allegheny Mountains
Leah has shared little of her childhood in the Allegheny Mountains with her husband and young son, but as she journeys with them toward her old town after the death of her stepmother, Jean, she’s forced to reveal more of her past. Jean lives alone, welding metal sculptures in her living room, and hasn’t heard from Leah in years. She doesn’t want anyone in her business—including the new family next door with the mysterious grown son. Idra Novey weaves the dual timelines of Leah and Jean together in a way that builds tension for the listener. Novey herself poignantly narrates Leah in what she describes as her most autobiographical work yet, while Christina Delaine delivers a no-nonsense yet endearing Jean. I immediately found myself wrapped up in their lives, and I’m eager for listeners to get to know the secrets of these women. —Katie O.
Perfect for kids and families, Change the Game is an exciting full-cast audio adaptation of Colin Kaepernick’s slice-of-life graphic novel. Hearing Kaepernick lead this cast is a real treat—his performance is both entertaining and heartfelt. His fight for equality began well before he ever touched a football (as you'll hear, he started as a baseball phenom). He’s had to endure everyday hardships, battles with systematic racism, and being a Black kid adopted by a white family who he loved dearly but could not fully understand what a day in the life of a young Colin Kaepernick entailed. How he ultimately chooses his own way, and why he does so, is truly inspirational. —Disha M.
