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 back to our monthly Book Clubbin’ feature where we provide some discussion questions for your next book club meeting. Now that the weather is starting to warm up (at least where we are), now is the perfect time to start booking some backyard book clubs, perfect for social distancing (if your area allows it, of course). Round up a group of pals, some snacks, your favorite sips, and that’s all you need to get the party started.
This month, we’ve chosen Educated by Tara Westover. This memoir has been making waves and topping charts since its debut back in 2018, and it’s still being talked about today.
Educated is a memoir from Tara Westover, where she recounts her days growing up in Idaho with her survivalist family. She touches on the impact of their isolation, her parents, her abusive brother, her other siblings, and ultimately how her journey to becoming educated transformed her. Narrated by Julia Whelan, this is an audio experience that you won’t want to pass up.
So, if you’ve been on the hunt for some thought-provoking book club questions that are sure to spark a great discussion about Educated, look no further. Keep reading for our full questions below. Beware— SPOILERS ahead.
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1)Tara’s father plays a huge part in her story. Discuss her relationship with him and whether you felt that it changed throughout the book.
2) On the topic of parents, Tara’s mother does not believe her when she comes forward saying that her brother has been abusing her and her sister. Why do you think this is?
3) Why do you think Tara’s father is so strongly against getting a formal education? How does her brother, Tyler, leaving for school affect her?
4) How is Tara affected by her family’s expectations for what a woman should be and how she should act? How does this influence Tara’s life and the choices she makes?
5) Of the many shocking events of Tara’s life, one that sticks out particularly is during her first college class when she is unfamiliar with the term “holocaust.” Why is this moment important? How does this change her perception of herself, her family, and the world?
6)Tara introduces us to the mountain in Idaho next to where she and her family lived. Why do you think she refers back to this mountain several times throughout the book? How does the setting affect the Westover family? Would things have been different if they were located somewhere else?
7) Other than in school and classes, in what other parts of her life does Tara become educated? Why do you think Educatedis the title of her book?
8) After listening to the whole story, where do you think this leaves Tara and her family? Can they still have a relationship? Can she ever go back?
9) How did you feel while listening to this audiobook? What kind of an impact did Tara’s story have on your life?
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Since the 70s, Star Wars has been a favorite among viewers and has only been getting more popular as more content is released and the years go on. The 2019 debut of The Mandalorian on Disney+ brought in more fans to the franchise and with the upcoming release of The Book of Boba Fett in December of 2021, people just can’t get enough.
But did you know that there’s a whole world of extra Star Wars content just waiting to shed more light on the characters you know and love? There are hundreds of books spanning countless series, and we are still seeing new releases all the time. So, why not celebrate May the 4th (Star Wars Day) this year by jumping into the written world of Star Wars.
We’ve put together a quick-start guide for canonical Star Wars series, so that you can figure out where to start, as there are a lot of books and it can be overwhelming. While this list is not exhaustive, we think it’s a good place to start your journey!
Star Wars: The High Republic Series (2021)
Long before the Clone Wars, the Empire, or the First Order, the Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in a golden age known as the High Republic! In this series the Jedi Knights face a terrifying threat to themselves, the galaxy, and to the Force itself.
This group of canon audiobooks spans over many eras and can be broken into more manageable, bite-sized pieces. You can learn more about the start of the Rebellion while also following Padmé’s journey to finding her identity as the Queen in both Queen’s Peril and Queen’s Shadow. Then take a journey into Catalyst, which will set the stage for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. From here you can venture into Dark Disciple, which is based on unproduced episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. This audiobook follows Asajj Ventress, former Sith apprentice turned bounty hunter and one of the great antiheroes in the Star Wars galaxy. Curious about Grand Moff Tarkin, Vader’s right hand man? Tarkin explores the backstory of this character from A New Hope. Next up, Ahsoka. Follow her during the beginning of the Rebellion and find out what happened to her after leaving the Jedi Order. Finally, round out your Star Wars listening with Bloodline. In this audiobook, Leia grapples with and rejects the idea of one single person in power, but a new threat may leave that as her only option. These are just a few recommendations from the Star Wars Disney Canon Novel series, but they should all give you a great foundation to start with.
Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy Series (2020 – Present)
This series, penned by Timothy Zahn, centers around the origins of Mitth’raw’nuruodo (Thrawn) and the Chiss Ascendancy in the Unknown Regions. The third release in this series. Lesser Evil, is due out later this year.
Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens Series (2015)
These titles debuted during the lead up to the theatrical release of The Force Awakens. These listens will add even more depth and background to the storyline that we know you’re craving.
With the grand opening of Disney Parks’ Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge came both of the audiobook tie-ins A Crash of Fate and Black Spire. These listens explore the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order.
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 an audiobook enthusiast and/or a frequent audiobook listener and you haven’t heard of AudioFile magazine yet, you’ll want to learn more about this great listener resource. AudioFile magazine is a publication devoted entirely to audiobooks and is the perfect reading material for anyone who enjoys spoken-word recordings and audio entertainment.
Each issue of AudioFile magazine includes: • Reviews of bestsellers, classics, fiction, mystery–all subjects • Focus on the audio performance • Interviews & behind-the-scenes with authors and narrators • Best of the best audiobook recommendations
Once you’ve discovered your next great listen with AudioFile, it’s easy to return to Audiobooks.com and simply search for the book in our app and start listening.
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!
It’s that time again…our monthly Book Clubbin’ feature is back! Listening to an audiobook can be a great way to distract yourself while doing chores, going for a walk, or even while relaxing, but once the book ends and you want to chat about that big twist what do you do!? Our answer: start a book club! Whether your area of the world is currently in lockdown or is transitioning back to normal day-to-day life, try scheduling at least an hour every month to talk about your latest listen!
The Four Winds is a powerful American epic about love and heroism and hope, set during the Great Depression, a time when the country was in crisis and at war with itself, when millions were out of work and even the land seemed to have turned against them.The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.
Whether you’re already a frequent Kristin Hannah reader, or this is your first listen from her, this story is likely to strike a chord as it is especially prescient considering the state of our world in 2021. So, if you’re ready to get started, keep reading for our discussion questions below. Beware— SPOILERS ahead.
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1) Was Elsa’s life defined by the cultural expectations for unmarried women? How do you think her failure to meet these expectations affected her?
2) How did Elsa’s pregnancy affect both her and Rafe? How different would their lives be if Elsa had not gotten pregnant?
3) A major theme that carries throughout The Four Winds is the idea of the American Dream. How did this come to play in the decisions that Elsa made throughout the book?
4) People’s relationship with the land that they’re from and/or the land that they own play a major role in this story. Discuss this relationship and why it is so important.
5) In the same vein, some families did travel West in hopes of finding work and making better lives for themselves while most families chose to remain at their farms affected by the drought. Why do you think this is?
6) After moving to California, Elsa ends up falling for Jack. How does Elsa’s relationship with Jack differ than her relationship with Rafe?
7) Elsa and her family endure extreme hardships even after arriving in California and yet they persevere. Do you think they would have had a better or worse experience if they had stayed in Texas?
8) What did it take for Loreda to finally understand her mother and why she made the decisions she did?
9) How do the events of the Great Depression compare to life during the current pandemic? What lessons did you take away from this story that you can apply to your current life?
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!
Scary movies are pretty much all I watch these days — from paranormal to slasher and everything in between, they offer a much-needed escape from reality. Watching these freaky flicks while sitting safe and cozy inside really makes you thankful that you’re not dealing with a murderous man in a mask or an angry spirit looking for its revenge.
So, with that in mind, it’s not surprising that when The Lost Village by Camilla Sten popped up in my recommended listens and I saw that it was touted as Blair Witch Project meets Midsommar, hello?? I didn’t even hesitate to pick this one up! These comparisons really do hold up too! The Lost Village had the same uneasy found footage style of The Blair Witch Project while inserting the story of a mysterious secluded Scandinavian village a la Midsommar.
This unputdownable listen follows Alice Lindstedt and her group of friends as they travel to a remote village where almost 900 of its residents vanished back in 1959 leaving nothing in their wake but an abandoned newborn and woman stoned to death in the town square. Alice and her friends are determined to make a documentary and find out what truly happened in this “lost village,” but production is halted as unexplainable things begin to happen, equipment goes missing or is wrecked, and the crew starts seeing things that shouldn’t be there.
The narration by Angela Dawe is really what brought this story to life and allowed me to paint a better picture of each character in my mind. Her narration gave me a feeling of actually peeking behind the curtain of Alice’s internal monologue. There were points of this book that the description of the scene really gave me the creeps, so if you’re a horror/thriller novice, get ready for some nightmare fuel.
The Lost Village was a wild ride with all the suspense, and twists and turns that you could want and it left me guessing until the end. If you’re a fan of a good horror flick or anything from Riley Sager, you’ll definitely want to jump into this audiobook next.
Publisher Summary:
The Blair Witch Project meets Midsommar in this brilliantly disturbing thriller from Camilla Sten, an electrifying new voice in suspense.
Documentary filmmaker Alice Lindstedt has been obsessed with the vanishing residents of the old mining town, dubbed “The Lost Village,” since she was a little girl. In 1959, her grandmother’s entire family disappeared in this mysterious tragedy, and ever since, the unanswered questions surrounding the only two people who were left—a woman stoned to death in the town center and an abandoned newborn—have plagued her. She’s gathered a small crew of friends in the remote village to make a film about what really happened.
But there will be no turning back.
Not long after they’ve set up camp, mysterious things begin to happen. Equipment is destroyed. People go missing. As doubt breeds fear and their very minds begin to crack, one thing becomes startlingly clear to Alice:
They are not alone.
They’re looking for the truth… But what if it finds them first?
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!
Spring has arrived and I don’t know about you, but I am more than ready to embrace all things spring! Warm and sunny weather, busting out the spring/summer wardrobe, and even spring cleaning.
If you know you need to jump into a deep clean of your house or even just need to go through your belongings to start the decluttering process, but you’re not sure where to start and need a little inspiration, hello, we are here for you.
Click here to view our full list of spring cleaning audiobooks or keep reading for some specific recommendations for great listens that will put a pep in your step and get you stoked to get cleaning.
Welcome to The Easy Life, where your kitchen always sparkles, your closet is organized, and your to-do list has an end. It sounds almost too good to be true, but TV’s Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie—mother of three, pet owner, Instagrammer, This Morning cleaning expert, and head of her own cleaning business—has all the tips, tricks, and routines you need to create a happy and healthy home environment.
In her latest book, Lynsey expands on her eco-friendly, tried-and-tested tips for cleaning, while also providing a series of interactive to-do lists, quick cleaning challenges, and hacks to take the stress out of managing your home. Whether you’re finding that you now have time to finally get to all those deep cleaning tasks or that having all your family at home means you need every trick to keep life organized, Lynsey has you covered.
From journalist, fashionista, and clothing resale expert Elizabeth L. Cline, “the Michael Pollan of fashion,” comes the definitive guide to building an ethical, sustainable wardrobe you’ll love.
Whether your goal is to build an effortless capsule wardrobe, keep up with trends without harming the environment, buy better quality, seek out ethical brands, or all of the above, The Conscious Closet is packed with the vital tools you need. Elizabeth delves into fresh research on fashion’s impacts and shows how we can leverage our everyday fashion choices to change the world through style. Inspired by her own revelatory journey getting off the fast-fashion treadmill, Elizabeth shares exactly how to build a more ethical wardrobe, starting with a mindful closet clean-out and donating, swapping, or selling the clothes you don’t love to make way for the closet of your dreams.
Practical and inspiring, The Art of Discarding (the book that originally inspired a young Marie Kondo to start cleaning up her closets) offers hands-on advice and easy-to-follow guidelines to help readers learn how to finally let go of stuff that is holding them back—as well as sage advice on acquiring less in the first place. Author Nagisa Tatsumi urges us to reflect on our attitude to possessing things and to have the courage and conviction to get rid of all the stuff we really don’t need, offering advice on how to tackle the things that pile up at home and take back control. By learning the art of discarding you will gain space, free yourself from ‘accumulation syndrome,’ and find new joy and purpose in your clutter-free life.
In Clean Mama’s Guide to a Healthy Home, Becky Rapinchuk, author of Simply Clean and creator of the popular cleaning website Clean Mama, provides a step-by-step guide to take charge of your home’s wellness with a comprehensive, all-natural cleaning system.
Cleanliness is about detoxing, embracing organic, all-natural methods and products, and protecting the environment. Moms look to Becky to guide them in the best cleaning practices for their home, and will welcome Clean Mama’s Guide to a Healthy Home, which shows that going natural isn’t just a better way to a cleaner home-it’s vital to the health of our bodies, our families, and our planet.
Mrs Hinch has taken the nation by storm with her infectiously addictive charm, her clever cleaning hacks and her passionate belief in the life-changing magic of tidying. Now she’s here to show us that cleaning – aka hinching – doesn’t have to be that job you dread, not when Mrs Hinch is here to show you her sparkly ways.
In Hinch Yourself Happy, Mrs Hinch invites you into her home where you’ll find everything from tips for easing stress and anxiety through cleaning to Mrs Hinch must-haves and step-by-step hinching guides. You’ll even hear the story of Mr and Mrs Hinch and their ‘dorgeous’ boy, Henry.
Are you suffering from CHAOS, otherwise known as Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome? If your house is a jumble of dirty dishes, piles of paper, and never-ending laundry, you are probably afflicted. But don’t give up hope, because now there’s an antidote: The CHAOS Cure.
In her eagerly anticipated new book, Marla Cilley—aka ‘The FlyLady’ to the hundreds of thousands who visit her website for daily domestic inspiration—reaches into our homes to help make housecleaning more meaningful and life less messy. With a little bit of armchair therapy and plenty of practical, tactical tips—such as ‘On the Fly!’ quick fixes and genius uses for sticky notes—she’ll help us get our houses in shipshape order before we can break a sweat. Along the way, the FlyLady teaches us to embrace household maintenance as an act of self-care, and to enjoy the soothing satisfaction of an orderly habitat.
Before you know it, you’ll be on the fast-track to living CHAOS-free, surrounded by sparkling serenity
Having less stuff is the key to happiness: Do you ever feel overwhelmed, instead of overjoyed, by all your possessions? Do you secretly wish a gale force wind would blow the clutter from your home? If so, it’s time to simplify your life!
The Joy of Less is a fun, lighthearted guide to minimalist living: Part One provides an inspirational pep talk on the joys and rewards of paring down. Part Two presents the STREAMLINE method: ten easy steps to rid your house of clutter. Part Three goes room by room, outlining specific ways to tackle each one. Part Four helps you get your family on board and live more lightly and gracefully on the earth.
Francine has helped hundreds of thousands of people declutter their homes and simplify their lives with her bestselling book, The Joy of Less.
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!
