5 New Christmas Audiobooks to Listen to This Holiday Season

Posted on December 5, 2018 by Michelle

If you’ve already listened to all of the classic Christmas audiobooks, treat yourself to these new Christmas stories that will warm your heart and make you believe in the magic of the holiday season all over again.

1. The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan, narrated by Mandy Weston

There is nothing like the holidays to bring family back together. I enjoyed the way this book deals with emotions, conflicts, and crisis all with the warmth of the season.
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2. Christmas at the Palace by Jeevani Charika, narrated by Carlyss Peer

I’m still revelling in the magic of the royal weddings this past year, so this was a perfect story to add to my Christmas reading. You’ll devour this delightfully modern Christmas romance.
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3. The White Christmas Inn by Colleen Wright, narrated by Samantha Desz

There are some books you just want to jump into and experience; this is one of those books for me. Filled with lovable characters — each pulling through their own difficulties — in a picture perfect setting, you’re sure to enjoy this lighthearted holiday read.
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4. A Nancy Drew Christmas by Carolyn Keene, narrated by Jorjeana Marie

This book transported me back to my much younger days of reading Nancy Drew as a young girl. For adults coming to Nancy Drew again, you will not be disappointed. For newcomers to Nancy Drew, you will enjoy this Christmas themed adventure.
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5. The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans, narrated by Erin Mallon

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without reading Richard Paul Evans. He’s back and totally on Christmas spirit form with The Noel Stranger. While for me this one was a slight departure from his normal Christmas titles, you will still enjoy the true meaning of the holidays with this book and this is a not-to-be missed story.
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Page to Screen in December 2018

Posted on December 4, 2018 by Lena Yang

Going to the movies this December? Get the best experience by listening to the books they were based on before seeing the film adaptations.

Nightflyers by George R. R. Martin, narrated by Adenrele Ojo
Expected release date: December 2

When a scientific expedition is launched to study a mysterious alien race, the ship tasked with this expedition is the Nightflyer, the most advanced ship ever built. But when terrifying and violent events start to occur, the team and crew begin to question themselves, each other, and their reclusive captain.
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Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy, narrated by Eileen Stevens
Expected release date: December 7

Things have always worked out for Willowdean Dickson—the plus-sized daughter of a former beauty queen—until recently. Instead of finding new heights of self-assurance in her new relationship with boyfriend, Bo, Will has started to doubt herself. So, she sets out to take back her confidence by doing the most horrifying thing she can imagine: entering the Miss Clover City beauty pageant.
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Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally, narrated by Ben Kingsley
Re-release date: December 7

In the shadow of Auschwitz, a flamboyant German industrialist grew into a living legend to the Jews of Plaszow. He was a womaniser, a heavy drinker and a bon viveur, but to them, he became a savior. This is the extraordinary story of Oskar Schindler, who used his enormous fortune to build a factory near the Plaszow concentration camp and saved the lives of over 1,300 Jews.
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Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve, narrated by Barnaby Edwards
Expected release date: December 14

Emerging from its hiding place in the hills, the great Traction City is chasing a terrified little town across the wastelands. Soon London will feed. In the attack, Tom Natsworthy is flung from the speeding city with a murderous scar-faced girl. They must run for their lives through the wreckage—and face a terrifying new weapon that threatens the future of the world.
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Mary Poppins (Film Adaptation: Mary Poppins Returns) by P.L. Travers, narrated by Sophie Thompson
Expected release date: December 19

It all starts when their new nanny is blown by the east wind onto the doorstep of the Banks house, carrying a parrot-headed umbrella and a magic carpetbag. She becomes a most unusual nanny to Jane, Michael, and the twins. A day with Mary Poppins is a day of magic and make-believe come to life!
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Selection Day by Aravind Adiga, narrated by Sartaj Garewal
Expected release date: December 28

Manjunath Kumar is fourteen and living in a slum in Mumbai. He knows he is good at cricket—if not as good as his older brother, Radha. When Manju meets Radha’s great rival, a mysterious Muslim boy privileged and confident in all the ways Manju is not, everything in Manju’s world begins to change.
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5 Hanukkah Audiobooks for Kids

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Michelle

Celebrate Hanukkah by listening to an audiobook with your children that will educate, entertain, and inspire.

1. Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel, narrated by Laural Merlington

A bear wakes to wonderful smells that leads him to the house of Bubba Brayna. Bubba Brayna makes the best latkes in the village, but at 97, she doesn’t hear or see well. When the bear arrives at her door, she believes he is her rabbi. Bubba Brayna and the bear light the menorah, play the dreidel game, and eat all the latkes.
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2. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel, narrated by Gildart Jackson

On the first night of Hanukkah, a traveler named Hershel of Ostropol eagerly approaches a village. But when he arrives, not a single candle is lit. A band of frightful goblins has taken over, and the villagers cannot celebrate. Hershel vows to help them. But can one man alone save Hanukkah, and live to tell the tale?
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3. Dreidels on the Brain by Joel Ben Izzy, narrated by Joel Ben Izzy

Joel, a magician who dreams of being a superhero, fails miserably at making himself disappear at school. Home isn’t any better, with a family that’s embarrassing and broke. That’s why he’s betting everything on these eight nights, to see whether it’s worth believing in God or miracles or anything at all. He’s scrambling to come to terms with the world he lives in — from hospitals to Houdini to the Holocaust — before the last of the candles burns out.
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4. Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer, narrated by Kirby Heyborne

Rescued from an animal shelter on the first night of Hanukkah, Latke the puppy joins the family just in time for the celebrations. Although he has trouble learning the house rules, he is one lucky dog! Told from the pup’s point of view, this sweet Hanukkah song is perfect for little ones.
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5. In The Month Of Kislev by Nina Jaffe, narrated by Theodore Bikel

In The Month Of Kislev.

Every night during Hanukkah, the Mendel children stand outside the window of a wealthy and arrogant merchant to enjoy the delicious smell of golden latkes. When Faivel, the merchant, discovers the children on the eighth night of Hanukkah, he is outraged. He insists they face Rabbi Yohah for judgement, and takes the family of a poor peddler to court. It is here that he learns the true meaning of Hanukkah.
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STAFF PICK: Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Michelle

Title: Beartown
Author: Fredrik Backman
Narrator: Marin Ireland

Nestled deep within a lush Swedish forest lies a small town experiencing what feels like an inevitable death. The factory workers who founded the town once had big dreams of Beartown becoming a hockey haven, and with it, an abundance of jobs and a booming economy. But the costs that accompany those dreams are higher than anyone could have anticipated.

The junior ice hockey team is gearing up for the national semi-finals — and they actually have a shot at winning. In one fell swoop, the future of a dying town lies on the shoulders of teenage boys, and in the same breath, threatens to unravel the secrets, violence, and callousness of those we thought we knew, and who we wanted them to be.

Within the first few chapters, Fredrik Backman joined the ranks of being one of my favorite authors. So rarely do I find a book as beautiful as it is devastating, so powerful that I never want it to end, yet so damn satisfied when it does.

Backman’s ability to bring to light the small details about each character, even those in the shadows, allowed me to resonate with the entire town — those who went against the grain, those who created the trauma that ripples throughout, those whose shoes I never hope to be in. In Beartown, no one is unaffected. Everyone’s vulnerability is uncovered, and no small character truly exists in this story.

“small towns need a head start if they’re going to have any chance in the world… people are standing in silent lines with their eyes half opened and their minds half closed, waiting for their electronic punch cards to verify their existence… if they keep quiet, they can hear it in the distance: bang. bang. bang. bang. bang.”

Marin Ireland does a fabulous job of narrating the story in an appropriately moody tone. Her ability to bring out the emotions of the characters transported me into their town, their lives, their dreams, and their demons.

STAFF PICK: Broken Things by Lauren Oliver

Posted on November 29, 2018 by Lena Yang

Title: Broken Things
Author: Lauren Oliver
Narrators: Sarah Drew, Saskia Maarleveld, and Erin Spencer

Five years ago, when Summer Marks was found stabbed to death in a ritualistic killing, suspicion immediately fell on her two best friends, Mia and Brynn, who had described the exact crime in a co-written sequel to a book all three girls were obsessed with, The Way into Lovelorn. Although there wasn’t enough evidence to convict, the town nevertheless pointed fingers at Mia and Brynn, who consequently became ostracized from the community.

In the aftermath, Mia transferred to another school in hopes of outrunning her classmates’ vicious remarks, while Brynn deliberately prolonged her stint in rehab to avoid rejoining society. However, when Mia makes a strange discovery about Summer, she resurrects the mystery of Summer’s death and begins her hunt for answers alongside Brynn, Owen Waldmann—an old friend and Summer’s then-boyfriend, and Abby—a teenage YouTube sensation whose need for homeschooling brought her and Mia together.

Lauren Oliver unfolds her story through alternating chapters from Mia and Brynn’s perspectives that shuffle between ‘then’ and ‘now.’ Slowly, snippets from the past coalesce with the present narrative to form a story of two young girls brought together by the enigmatic Summer Marks, who had always seemed undeniably perfect to Mia and Brynn—until they begin to examine her life in retrospect.

The characters leap off the page with excellent narration from Sarah Drew, Saskia Maarleveld, and Erin Spencer, whose passionate performances kept me captivated and utterly unable to press pause.

Shortly after the novel opens, Mia and Brynn’s hometown, Twin Lakes—a name that conjures the shadowy, atmospheric intensity of Twin Peaks—is ravaged by a hurricane. As the girls meet for the first time since Summer’s murder—in a community on the precipice of chaos and recovery, no less—old wounds and dark memories are dredged up. Before they can begin to heal and stitch their lives back together, Mia and Brynn must unravel the mysterious circumstances of Summer’s murder so they can close this chapter of their lives and clear their names.

The heart of the mystery revolves around fictional author Georgia C. Wells’ The Way into Lovelorn, which inexplicably ends mid-sentence, and its unofficial sequel Return to Lovelorn, which spawned from the girls’ obsession with the original text. In excerpts peppered between chapters, The Way into Lovelorn and Return to Lovelorn unfold like Narnia-esque tales with a sinister undercurrent. As Wells’ fiction creeps into reality, gripping the minds of three young, impressionable girls, I can’t help but recall the Slender Man stabbing in 2014 wherein two girls lured their friend into the woods and stabbed her to impress the fictional Slender Man.

The mystery will keep you hooked, but Broken Things is much more than that. It’s about the complexities of friendship, the meaningful bonds stories can forge, and how long and complicated the road to healing can be. Broken Things is an unmissable entry from one of today’s most prolific voices.

10 Ways to Listen to Audiobooks this Holiday Season

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Michelle

Get into the holiday spirit with fun activities and their perfect audiobook companions!

1. Cross country skiing or snow shoeing
Gliding or trekking through a powdery forest is exhilarating enough, but listening to a suspenseful audiobook makes the experience even more spine-tingling.

Someone Like Me by M. R. Carey, narrated by Robin Miles

Liz Kendall wouldn’t hurt a fly. Even when times get tough, she’s devoted to bringing up her two kids in a loving home. But there’s another side to Liz: one that’s dark and malicious. She’ll do anything to get her way, no matter how extreme. And when this other side of her takes control, the consequences are devastating. But love her or hate her, there are two sides to every story…
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2. Decorating a gingerbread house
Whether you’re making a gingerbread house as a form of home decor or for the sake of a seasonal treat, this holiday tradition is even better with a cozy gingerbread mystery.

Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Leslie Meier, Laura Levine and Joanne Fluke, narrated by Suzanne Toren

In this batch of sweet, short murder mysteries, three cooks don’t spoil the broth. New York Times best-selling author Joanne Fluke pens the title story, in which a box of Hannah Swensen’s gingerbread cookies is found near the corpse of her neighbor. Popular co-authors Laura Levine and Leslie Meier offer ‘The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies’ and ‘Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots,’ respectively.
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3. Writing holiday cards
As soon as I open my mailbox and see handwriting across the envelope — instant happiness! I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, so if you’re writing cards this year, listen to a powerful memoir that will get your memories flowing.

Thanks A Lot Mr Kibblewhite by Roger Daltrey, narrated by Roger Daltrey

The frontman of The Who fought his way through school and poverty while assembling the band that would become The Who. Amidst all the music and mayhem, the drugs, the premature deaths, the ruined hotel rooms, Roger Daltrey narrates his personal story, and definitive biography of The Who, remaining sober (relatively) and observant and determined to make The Who bigger and bigger.
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4. Online holiday shopping
Avoid bumping elbows in a crowded mall and listen to an audiobook while finding the perfect gift for the perfect person (like a gift subscription to Audiobooks.com!).

The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston, narrated by Marisa Calin

Xanthe and her mom Flora leave London for a fresh start, taking over an antique shop in a historic town. When Xanthe has an intense connection to a silver chatelaine, she has to know more. It’s while she’s examining the chatelaine that she’s transported back to the 17th century where it has its origins and discovers an injustice in its history. If she doesn’t make things right, her mom’s life could be in danger.
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5. Going for a walk in a winter wonderland
Even if you don’t have snow, walking in crisp weather is a great way to get your blood pumping. Listening to this Narnia-esque audiobook will motivate you to keep moving, even in sub-zero temperatures.

The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth, narrated by Moira Quirk and Fiona Hardingham

Sisters Evelyn and Philippa were swept away to a strange and beautiful kingdom called the Woodlands, where they lived for years. Ever since returning to England, they’ve struggled to adjust. Ev desperately wants to return to the Woodlands, but Philippa just wants to move on. When Ev goes missing, Philippa must confront her sister’s despair and the painful truths they’ve been running from.
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6. Making a pot of mulled wine or hot chocolate
Enjoying hot beverages is one of my favorite things about winter. If you’re whipping up a pot of your own, listen to this feel-good audiobook to get you feeling extra festive.

Hope and Other Superpowers by John Pavlovitz, narrated by John Pavlovitz

It’s exhausting to give a damn these days, isn’t it? Perhaps you’re feeling anguished about what you see on the news or on social media, or by personal circumstances, and are paralyzed waiting for world leaders to rescue us. But what if you didn’t have to wait for someone else? What if you could be the hero? This book is an invitation to anyone hoping to be the kind of person the world desperately needs.
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7. Wrapping presents
I’ve traditionally listened to Christmas music while wrapping presents, but this year, A Town Divided by Christmas got me into the rhythm of wrapping presents early.

A Town Divided by Christmas by Orson Scott Card, narrated by Emily Rankin

It began with a quarrel over which newborn should be the baby Jesus in the town’s Christmas pageant. Decades later, two scientists arrive to study small-town genetic patterns, only to run up against the invisible walls that split the leading citizens into two congregations that can only be joined by love and forgiveness. And maybe a little deception. There might be some things that people just don’t need to know.
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8. Decorating your home
Every year, I find myself untangling twinkle lights and cleaning up bits of faux snow and pine needles from my house, and every year, it’s worth it. Deck the halls (and the rest of your home) while listening to this fun audiobook.

House of Gold by Natasha Solomons, narrated by Marisa Calin

Vienna, 1911. Greta Goldbaum has always dreamed of choosing her own path, but the Goldbaums have expectations. Jewish and perpetual outsiders, they know that power and strength lies in family and wealth. When Greta moves to England to wed, she finds herself lonely. Just as she begins to feel happy, war is looming. The family takes opposing sides, and Greta will have to choose.
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9. Curling up by a fire
There’s nothing better than cozying up with a good story. Michelle Obama‘s memoir, Becoming, is so good, you’ll want to make sure you don’t have any distractions around you so you can soak up every detail.

Becoming by Michelle Obama, narrated by Michelle Obama

The former First Lady of the United States invites readers into her world, chronicling her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing motherhood and work and living at the world’s most famous address. Warm, wise, and honest, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman who has steadily defied expectations and inspires readers to do the same.
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10. Driving to look at Christmas lights
There’s little more festive than neighborhood lit up with twinkle lights. If you’re going on a drive to see the displays your neighborhood has to offer, listening to a family-friendly audiobook is a way to feel extra warm and fuzzy.

Homer and the Holiday Miracle by Gwen Cooper, narrated by Gwen Cooper

Doctors warned that Homer was unlikely to survive, but against all odds, he grew to save his human mom’s life and rose to global fame. Now, just two weeks before Christmas, doctors said he wouldn’t make it to Christmas Eve. Homer showed everyone he still had one more miracle left in him and proved again, once and for all, that hope and love aren’t things you see with your eyes. You see them with your heart.
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Page to Screen in December 2018

10 Ways to Listen to Audiobooks this Holiday Season

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