Kylie’s favorite reads are usually horror/thrillers, which matches her taste in films as well. When she’s not cracking bad jokes she can often be found curled up with a cup of coffee and her cat, Gideon.
Welcome to our monthly blog feature, Book Clubbin’! With some people back in the office, and others still at home, it’s important to keep busy and stay connected! Why not reach out to your bookish friends and see if they want to start a virtual book club or, if your area permits, a backyard book club (with social distancing in place, of course).
Let’s face it, it’s hard to find time to sit down and read these days! We’ve got work, commuting, chores, kids, and so many other things to worry about. That’s when audiobooks come in handy! Just pop on some headphones, press play, and you’ll be the CEO of multi-tasking in a flash!
This month our Book Clubbin’ pick is The Lions of Fifth Avenueby Fiona Davis, narrated by Erin Bennet and Lisa Flanagan. Davis is known for her bestselling historical fiction releases such as The Address and The Chelsea Girls. Her latest release, The Lions of Fifth Avenue, is already garnering buzz, as it was chosen as Good Morning America’s August book club pick. This listen follows Laura Lyons in 1913 as she heads to journalism school, and when valuable books are stolen from the New York Public Library, she gets sucked into the scandal.
Then, we jump forward 80 years to follow Sadie Donovan, Laura’s grand daughter, as she starts her new role at the New York Public Library. When items from the exhibit she was working on begin to go missing, Sadie is faced with unwelcome truths about her own family history.
This month’s pick is perfect for historical fiction fans and book lovers. This story will have you fully immersed. If you’re ready to start discussingThe Lions of Fifth Avenue with your book club, get started with the questions below. Beware— SPOILERS ahead.
—————MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!————
1) Attending the Heterodoxy club changes Laura’s outlook on her life. Are there clubs similar to this that exist today?
2) What is your opinion on how Laura reacts when she finds out who has been stealing books from the library?
3) At the beginning of the book, Laura fills the traditional role of housewife and mother, but she wants to add “student” to the mix. She is met with resistance from her husband when she expresses her intentions. Do you think this still happens today, where woman are expected to fulfill traditionally “female” roles in their households?
4) In both time periods, priceless books go missing from the New York Public Library. Do you think that history will always repeat itself?
5) The library is very important to the story, as well as to both protagonists. What do libraries mean to you? Why are they an important space in our communities?
6) Laura takes the brunt of the blame for the events that transpired. If the roles weren’t so traditional in her home with Josh, do you think that her response and willingness to accept the blame would be different?
7) When Sadie finds out the truth about her grandmother, how does this change her?
8) Do you agree with the punishment that was given to the book thief? What do you think would be a suitable punishment for theft of these priceless items?
New to Audiobooks.com? Get your first book free, PLUS a bonus book from our VIP selection when you sign up for our one-month free trial. Digital audiobooks make audible stories come to life when you’re commuting, working out, cleaning, cooking, and more! Listening is easy with our top-rated free audiobook apps for iOS and Android, which let you download & listen to bestselling audiobooks on the go, wherever you are. Click here to get your free audiobooks!
As a big fan of all things horror, I’m always on the hunt for an audiobook with a new and interesting story. Don’t get me wrong, I like a good haunted house tale as much as anyone, but sometimes I just need something fresh and exciting, something different.
When I read the description of The Only Good Indians it described the author as “the Jordan Peele of horror literature,” and I was immediately sold. After watching Get Out and Us too many times, I was itching for more, so this new listen from Stephen Graham Jones couldn’t have come at a better time.
The Only Good Indians starts off by following Lewis, a 30-year-old Blackfeet living with his wife, Petra. We get to see the ins and outs of his life while also hearing his inner monologue, which pulls you right into the story. While inside Lewis’ head, we also get glimpses of a past elk hunting trip where something not quite right transpired, as he is currently being haunted by one of the elk that he killed.
As the story builds, the suspense is next-level and I was dying to reach the moment of clarity where we can truly know what the truth is. And the wait was well worth it, trust me.
This audiobook wouldn’t have been the same without the narration from Shaun Taylor-Corbett. His voice is so easy to listen to and convincing, it really feels like you’re inside Lewis’ mind. And having previously provided narration for There There by Tommy Orange, a huge hit in 2018, it’s a given that Taylor-Corbett can convey a story.
This is not your typical horror audiobook, so if you’re on the hunt for something that will keep you immersed, keep you guessing, and keep you on the edge of your seat, then you should definitely line up The Only Good Indiansas your next listen.
Publisher Summary:
A tale of revenge, cultural identity, and the cost of breaking from tradition in this latest novel from the Jordan Peele of horror literature, Stephen Graham Jones.
Seamlessly blending classic horror and a dramatic narrative with sharp social commentary, The Only Good Indians follows four American Indian men after a disturbing event from their youth puts them in a desperate struggle for their lives. Tracked by an entity bent on revenge, these childhood friends are helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.
New to Audiobooks.com? Get your first book free, PLUS a bonus book from our VIP selection when you sign up for our one-month free trial. Digital audiobooks make audible stories come to life when you’re commuting, working out, cleaning, cooking, and more! Listening is easy with our top-rated free audiobook apps for iOS and Android, which let you download & listen to bestselling audiobooks on the go, wherever you are. Click here to get your free audiobooks!
Summer is finally here! I really didn’t think this time would ever come, but now here we are. And now that certain areas are starting to enter different phases of quarantine, some beaches and splash pads are opening up (with social distancing in place still, of course). This means it’s time for some breezy beachy listens to go along with your fun in the sun.
So, whether you’re thanking all the stars in the sky that you can go sunbathe on a beach again, or thinking you’ll enjoy the sun from the comfort of your home instead, you’re sure to find your perfect next listen to entertain you while you do so. Be sure to check out our full Breezy Summer Listens booklist here and hey, don’t forget your sunscreen!
A wedding celebration turns dark and deadly in this deliciously wicked and atmospheric thriller reminiscent of Agatha Christie from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hunting Party.
On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather for a wedding fit for celebrities. Even though the cell phone reception is spotty, the happy couple has planned every single detail of their big day, but as the celebrations begin secrets old and new, jealousy, and betrayal are uncovered and then someone turns up dead.
Pick up the latest from Lucy Foley for a whirlwind mystery that will keep you guessing right until the end! Perfect for the long drive up to the cottage or while sitting around the roaring fire.
Fripp Island, South Carolina, is the perfect destination for the wealthy Daly family: Lisa, Scott, and their two girls. For Lisa’s childhood friend Poppy Ford, however, the resort island is a world away from what she and her family are used to. Everyone brings secrets to the island, distorting what should be a convivial, relaxing summer on the beach.
The ones who return from this vacation will spend the rest of their lives trying to process what they witnessed, the tipping points, moments of violence and tenderness, and the memory of whom they left behind.
Let The House on Fripp Island accompany you for happy hour while you chill poolside with a drink in hand.
Brynn Turner, in need of a fresh start, heads back home to Wildstone. And then there’s Kinsey Davis, who is at her wits end after dealing with health issues for the past 29 years, plus she’s keeping more than one secret from Brynn, her long-time frenemy.
Once Brynn runs into Kiney’s best friend Eli, she starts thinking she could really find love and a future if she could just let go of the past.
If you’re planning a lazy beach day this summer, then you’ll definitely want to have this audiobook ready to go. It’ll give you all the best kind of summer vibes.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Last House Guest comes a new psychology suspense listen about a young woman who is plagued by night terrors after a childhood trauma who wakes one evening to find a corpse at her feet.
This listen is one of those unputdownable, can’t-stop-listening types of suspenseful audiobooks that you’ll zoom right through. There’s something about the summer heat that just makes thrillers that much better, don’t you think?
Liya Thakkar is a successful biochemical engineer who is happily single. When she realizes that her parents latest dinner party is a setup with the man they want her to marry, she’s out of there! To her surprise and both their dismay, the same man shows up a week later to her workplace. Turns out he’s the lawyer that has been hired to rescue her struggling company.
As they get to know one another, can Liya give real love a chance or will she keep running? Find out in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that will just make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
Maggie, Eliza, and Tricia Sweeney grew up as a happy threesome in the idyllic seaside town of Southport, Connecticut. But their mother’s death from cancer fifteen years ago tarnished their golden-hued memories, and the sisters drifted apart. Their one touchstone is their father, but when he passes away unexpectedly one night the daughters return to their childhood home.
As they navigate their grief and throw their father an Irish wake, a surprise guest arrives and it turns out that she’s a Sweeney sister too. What does this mean for their father’s legacy? And how will this new sister fit in?
This perfect summery listen is equal parts cautionary tale and celebration—a festive and heartfelt look at what truly makes a family.
The bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish is back with a new psychological thriller, filled with serpentine twists, about a woman fighting to hold onto the only family she’s ever loved—and how far she’ll go to preserve it.
Joanna is waiting for her husband to re-emerge from the severe depression that has engulfed him, so when he begins to return to his charming energetic self, she couldn’t be more thankful. Unfortunately, this his renewed happiness is from falling head over heels for someone else.
After her husband leaves her behind she starts to dig into this new girl’s past and finds some disturbing secrets, but her therapist brushes off her concerns. Can she find proof in time to save her family?
When their foster-turned-adoptive mother suddenly dies, four brothers struggle to keep open the doors of her beloved Harlem knitting shop.
Jesse Strong is passionate about keeping the shop open, but his brothers aren’t exactly on board. Part-time shop employee, Kerry Fuller, who has been crushing on Jesse, offers to help him with the daunting task.
As they spend more time together and work toward reinventing the shop for a new generation their chemistry builds, but Jesse has to prove that his past doesn’t dictate his future and that he can be the man for her forever and always.
Pick up this charming and light-hearted listen if you’re looking for something cute and breezy.
New to Audiobooks.com? Get your first book free, PLUS a bonus book from our VIP selection when you sign up for our one-month free trial. Digital audiobooks make audible stories come to life when you’re commuting, working out, cleaning, cooking, and more! Listening is easy with our top-rated free audiobook apps for iOS and Android, which let you download & listen to bestselling audiobooks on the go, wherever you are. Click here to get your free audiobooks!
If you’re a true crime aficionado, then you’ve definitely heard the story of the Unabomber. This case captivated the masses in the 90s, but there’s so much more to the story that Lis Wiehl, author of Hunting the Unabomber, has brought to light.
We got the chance to pick her brain about audiobooks, the recording process, and what inspired her to write about the Unabomber for her latest release. Keep reading to see what she had to say.
Audiobooks.com: What can readers gain from listening to the audiobook version of Hunting the Unabomberthat they might not necessarily get from reading the print version?
Lis Wiehl: Through my tone of voice, readers will get a heightened sense of drama and excitement on the hunt for this notorious domestic terrorist. As I read the pages I relived the hunt with the FBI agents, profilers, and all the other sources who made this book come alive. Reading the actual words I’d written was a very personal thing, and I think that personal experience comes through in an audiobook. If you listen closely, you can hear my smirk, chuckle, and sigh. You can’t read those expressions in the printed version.
Audiobooks.com: Was your initial plan to narrate your own book, or was this one of the roadblocks you met with COVID-19?
Lis Wiehl: It was absolutely my initial plan to narrate this book. Even as I was writing the book, I knew I wanted to narrate it. I had recorded most of the book before the COVID-19 shelter in place occurred. But, after shelter in place happened, it looked like we might have to hire a professional audio reader or actor who had a home studio, and who could record the book from scratch.
Fortunately, my amazing audio producer, Gabe Wicks, ultimately secured a safe studio where I could record the last installment of the audiobook. I am extremely grateful to the editorial team at Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for sticking with me through COVID-19!
Audiobooks.com: How would you say this recording experience differed from narrating your other audiobooks?
Lis Wiehl: Other than the scare surrounding COVID-19, this recording was different because I was creating an important historical record by telling the story through people who had lived and experienced the events. I felt they were counting on me to get it right. I had only my voice to convey the tenor and tone of the whole operation. That was a big task!
Audiobooks.com: Did you ever consider narrating one of your fiction titles? Is this something you might do in the future?
Lis Wiehl: I’m not an actor. I’m not a professional audio reader. I read Hunting the Unabomber because this is nonfiction, and I thought my voice could convey raw emotion, changing tone, and personal connection in a way a professional reader might not. But I’ll leave reading my fiction titles, which require different voices for different characters, to the audio professionals.
Audiobooks.com: What made you decide to research the Unabomber for your latest release in the “Hunting” series?
Lis Wiehl: The Unabomber represents the longest domestic terrorist hunt in FBI history. That makes him a natural subject for me. For nearly two decades, the Unabomber terrorized a nation from a remote cabin in Montana. And Kaczynski was a mathematics wunderkind, going to Harvard at a young age, and even teaching at the college level, so he was a puzzle to figure out. I was fascinated to study the motivations behind his descent in to destruction. And the Unabomber is relevant today. What he did changed the way the FBI conducts its investigations even now.
Audiobooks.com: Are you currently working on anything new that you can share with us?
Lis Wiehl: I am deep on the hunt in my next installment of the Hunting series! The target of my hunt not only cost lives, but also endangered national security for years. Through interviews with key players involved in hunting my subject, I’m uncovering new mysteries, solving puzzles, and unlocking secrets that will make this book a thrilling ride!∎
New to Audiobooks.com? Get your first book free, PLUS a bonus book from our VIP selection when you sign up for our one-month free trial. Digital audiobooks make audible stories come to life when you’re commuting, working out, cleaning, cooking, and more! Listening is easy with our top-rated free audiobook apps for iOS and Android, which let you download & listen to bestselling audiobooks on the go, wherever you are. Click here to get your free audiobooks!
Welcome to our monthly blog feature, Book Clubbin’! As most of us are still at home due to the pandemic and social distancing practices, we’re trying our best to stay busy, entertained, and most of all, connected. During this time, we encourage you to reach out to your bookish friends and see if they want to start up a virtual book club!
And if you’re thinking, “I’m busy with homeschooling, working, and so many other things right now, when do you expect me to read!?” That’s where audiobooks come in. You can pop an audiobook on in the background while you’re cooking dinner, relaxing after a long day, or while you’re taking that government-recommended afternoon stroll.
This month our Book Clubbin’ pick is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is an important listen, that centers around a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. The story follows Elwood Curtis and his friend and fellow Nickel boy, Turner. The narrative jumps back and forth from Elwood’s time at Nickel to present day and demonstrates how one decision will echo down the decades.
This month’s pick is a quick listen, but also a devastating one. It’s one that you certainly won’t want to miss. If you’re ready to start discussing The Nickel Boys with your book club, get started with the questions below. Beware— SPOILERS ahead.
—————MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!————
1) Do you think that the racism Elwood endures before going to Nickel differs at all? If so, how?
2) Discuss the relationship Elwood has with education throughout the novel.
3) A student, Jaimie, was half-Mexican and was moved back and forth between the “white” and “colored” sections at Nickel. Why do you think Whitehead added a character of this ethnicity to the story?
4) After Elwood has his first beating how does his outlook on the school and life in general change?
5) Elwood reads about how Nickel contributes to the community. What are your thoughts about how the surrounding community is benefiting from work the Nickel boys have done? Do you see this relating to historical or modern-day practices?
6) What did you think when you found out that present day Elwood was actually Turner, who had taken on Elwood’s name to commemorate him? Are you able to separate the two characters?
7) Why do you think Elwood waited so long to tell Millie the truth about his past and true identity?
8) Who do you think was the villain in The Nickel Boys? Was it the teachers, the community, the school, or someone/something else?
9) After listening to the author’s note at the end of the book, were you surprised to learn that Nickel was based on a real “reform school” that only just closed its doors in 2011? Did this change your feelings about the novel at all?
10) At the very end of the book, roughly 50 years after his time at Nickel, Turner ends up at the Radisson in Tallahassee, which used to be the Richmond. He’s sitting in the very room Elwood used to fantasize about, although he isn’t aware he has fulfilled his friend’s wish of seeing a black person dine at the Richmond. How does this mark of progress make you feel, given all the injustices minorities continue to face today?
New to Audiobooks.com? Get your first book free, PLUS a bonus book from our VIP selection when you sign up for our one-month free trial. Digital audiobooks make audible stories come to life when you’re commuting, working out, cleaning, cooking, and more! Listening is easy with our top-rated free audiobook apps for iOS and Android, which let you download & listen to bestselling audiobooks on the go, wherever you are. Click here to get your free audiobooks!
