Tough Topics Audiobooks

The Night Fox

"This luminous, haunting debut, alternating between now and then, reality and magic, tells the story of a girl confronting heartbreak while at a mysterious recovery program in the wilderness. When seventeen-year-old Eli arrives at Raeth, a remote mountain retreat for teens with mental health issues, her mind is made up-she is not interested in participating, and she doesn't need to "heal." Still reeling from a breakup that left both her heart and faith shattered, she is determined to fake being "fine" so that the program's warden will clear her to return home. But the retreat itself has other ideas. The valley's magical surroundings transform each time she ventures out, playing with her mind and dredging up her grief-laden memories. Despite the warning signs, Eli explores more of the area than she had ever planned, even venturing into the dangerous night realm. This spellbinding novel mixes prose and poetry into an exquisite and evocative portrait of love, grief, depression, and the slow path toward healing."

Ashley Wilda (Author), Ellie Gossage (Narrator)

Audiobook

When We Become Ours: A YA Adoptee Anthology

"''An emotion-filled collection.'' —Kirkus Reviews Two teens take the stage and find their voice . . . A girl learns about her heritage and begins to find her community . . . A sister is haunted by the ghosts of loved ones lost . . . There is no universal adoption experience, and no two adoptees have the same story. This anthology for teens edited by Shannon Gibney and Nicole Chung contains a wide range of powerful, poignant, and evocative stories in a variety of genres. These tales from fifteen bestselling, acclaimed, and emerging adoptee authors genuinely and authentically reflect the complexity, breadth, and depth of adoptee experiences. This groundbreaking collection centers what it’s like growing up as an adoptee. These are stories by adoptees, for adoptees, reclaiming their own narratives.  With stories by: Kelley Baker Nicole Chung Shannon Gibney Mark Oshiro MeMe Collier Susan Harness       Meredith Ireland Mariama J. Lockington Lisa Nopachai Stefany Valentine Matthew Salesses Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom Eric Smith Jenny Heijun Wills Sun Yung Shin Foreword by Rebecca Carroll Afterword by JaeRan Kim, MSW, PhD Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."

Eric Smith, Jenny Heijun Wills, Kelley Baker, Lisa Nopachai, Lisa Wool-Rim Sjöblom, Mariama J. Lockington, Mark Oshiro, Matthew Salesses, Meme Collier, Meredith Ireland, Nicole Chung, Shannon Gibney, Stefany Valentine, Sun Yung Shin, Susan Harness (Author), Angel Pean, David Lee Huynh, Delanna Studi, Elena Rey, Greta Jung, Karla Serrato (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Space between Here & Now

"Perfect for fans of They Both Die at the End and You’ve Reached Sam, this gripping, atmospheric YA novel follows a teen with a mysterious condition that transports her to the past when she smells certain scents linked to specific memories. Seventeen-year-old Aimee Roh has Sensory Time Warp Syndrome, a rare condition that causes her to time travel to a moment in her life when she smells something linked to that memory. Her dad is convinced she’ll simply grow out of it if she tries hard enough, but Aimee’s fear of vanishing at random has kept her from living a normal life. When Aimee disappears for nine hours into a memory of her estranged mom—a moment Aimee has never remembered before—she becomes distraught. Not only was this her longest disappearance yet, but the memory doesn’t match up with the story of how her mom left—at least, not the version she’s always heard from her dad. Desperate for answers, Aimee travels to Korea, where she unravels the mystery of her memories, the truth about her mother, and the reason she keeps returning to certain moments in her life. Along the way, she realizes she’ll need to reconcile her past in order to save her present. From acclaimed author Sarah Suk comes an aching, powerful exploration of memory, grief, and the painful silences we must overcome to discover our truest selves. "

Sarah Suk (Author), Joy Osmanski (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Rosewood Hunt

"Irresistible intrigue, captivating suspense, a swoony friends-to-rivals-to-lovers romance, and heartbreaking betrayal drive this thrilling debut novel that is perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and Knives Out. Lily Rosewood has lived with her grandmother since her dad’s death a year ago. She and Gram have always been close—Gram’s role as chair of their family’s luxury coat business has inspired Lily’s love of fashion, and Lily hopes to follow in Gram’s footsteps one day. Then Gram dies suddenly, and Lily’s world is upended. Gram’s quarter of a billion dollar fortune is missing, and Lily has been banned from the manor she and Gram shared. But Gram has always loved games, and even in death, she still has a few tricks up her couture sleeve. When Lily and three other seemingly random teens get letters from Gram sending them on a treasure hunt around Rosetown, they hope the fortune will be the reward. But they’re not the only ones hunting for Gram’s treasure, and soon the hunt becomes more dangerous than they ever could have imagined. ***** ''Readers be warned: once you pick up Mackenzie Reed's debut, you won't want to put it down. The Rosewood Hunt is a fun, twisty, fast-paced mystery with just the right amount of angsty drama, perfect for fans of The Inheritance Games and Goonies.''—Liz Lawson, New York Times bestselling author of The Agathas, The Night in Question, and The Lucky Ones ''A captivating mystery full of secrets, family betrayals, and intrigue wrapped inside a fabulous treasure hunt that will leave readers spellbound. Reed seamlessly weaves classic mystery elements with a truly touching story of family and greed.''—Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces  “Such a fun adventure! Mackenzie Reed has crafted a fast-paced, exciting mix of treasure hunt, romance, and family secrets that fans of The Inheritance Games will surely gobble up.”—Diana Urban, author of Lying in the Deep “The Rosewood Hunt is a heart pounding thrill ride. With a breakneck pace, jaw-dropping betrayals, and dizzying twists, this high stakes treasure of a hunt kept me guessing to the final page.”—Dana Mele, author of People Like Us and Summer’s Edge  ''A high-stakes exploration of grief, greed, and what it means to choose your own family, The Rosewood Hunt is a perfectly twisty mystery filled with complex characters and reveals that will leave your heart racing. A must-read for any National Treasure or The Goonies fan!''—Victoria Wlosok, author of How to Find a Missing Girl "

Mackenzie Reed (Author), Shaina Summerville (Narrator)

Audiobook

Thin Air

"Eight hours. Twelve contestants. A flight none of them might survive. A flight to Paris full of teenagers seeking opportunity turns deadly in this suspenseful, locked-door YA thriller. Perfect for fans of Diana Urban, Karen McManus, and Jessica Goodman. Seventeen-year-old boarding school student Emily Walters is selected for an opportunity of a lifetime-she'll compete abroad for a cash prize that will cover not only tuition to the college of her choice, but will lift her mother and her out of poverty. But almost from the moment she and 11 other contestants board a private jet to Europe, Emily realizes somebody is willing to do anything to win. Between keeping an eye on her best friend's flirty boyfriend and hiding her own dark secrets, she's not sure how she'll survive the contest, much less the flight. Especially when people start dying… As loyalties shift and secrets are revealed, Emily must figure out who to trust, and who's trying to kill them all, before she becomes the next victim."

Kellie M. Parker (Author), Bailey Carr (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Fall of Whit Rivera

"Could you plan the Fall Formal with your (hot) nemesis? Whit Rivera is about to find out. Frenemies Whit and Zay have been at odds for years (ever since he broke up with her in, like, the most embarrassing way imaginable), so when they're forced to organize the fall formal together, it's a literal disaster. Sparks fly as Whitney-type-A, passionate, a perfectionist, and a certified sweater-weather fanatic-butts heads with Zay, a dry, relaxed skater boy who takes everything in stride. But not all of those sparks are bad. . . . Has their feud been a big misunderstanding all along? Blisteringly funny and profoundly well-observed, The Fall of Whit Rivera is a snug and cozy autumn romcom that also tackles weightier topics like PCOS, chronic illness, sexuality, fatphobia, Latine identity, and class. Funny, honest, insightful, romantic, and poignant, it is classic Crystal Maldonado-and it will have her legion of fans absolutely swooning. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection 'Meaningful. . . Multidimensional. . . An important addition to YA literature.'-Kirkus Reviews, starred review 'A celebration of love in all its forms-family, friends, romance, and (especially!) self. Whit Rivera's wry, optimistic voice will linger happily in your mind long after you turn the last page.'-Monica Gomez-Hira, author of Once Upon a Quinceañera 'Satisfying and delightful... Maldonado shines!'-Kelly Jensen, editor and author of (Don't) Call Me Crazy, Body Talk, and Here We Are: Feminism for the Real World"

Crystal Maldonado (Author), Victoria Villarreal (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Loved You In Another Life

"'I love this book so much' - Adam Silvera, #1 New York Times bestselling author of They Both Die at the End. A sweeping romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author David Arnold about the power of soulmates and love. Evan Taft has plans. Take a gap year in Alaska, make sure his brother and single mother are taken care of, and continue therapy to process his father's departure. But after his mum's unexpected cancer diagnosis, and as Evan's plans begin to fade, he hears something - a song no one else can hear, the voice of a mysterious singer ... Shosh Bell has dreams. A high-school theatre legend, she's headed to performing arts college in LA, a star on the rise. But when a drunk driver takes her sister's life, that star fades to black. All that remains is a void - and a soft voice singing in her ear ... Over it all, transcending time and space, a celestial bird brings strangers together: from an escaped murderer in 19th-century Paris, to a Norwegian cosmonaut in low-earth orbit, something is happening that began long ago, and will long outlast Evan and Shosh. With lyrical prose and breathtaking storytelling, I LOVED YOU IN ANOTHER LIFE explores the history of love, and how some souls are meant for each other - yesterday, today, forever. Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Matt Haig. The audiobook contains original music composed by David Arnold. There is an accompanying PDF with a QR code on to take you to the full musical score."

David Arnold (Author), Carlotta Brentan, Michael Crouch, Sigrid Zeiner (Narrator)

Audiobook

For Girls Who Walk Through Fire

"Elliott D’Angelo-Brandt is sick and tired of putting up with it all. Every week, she attends a support group for teen victims of sexual assault, but all they do is talk. Elliott’s done with talking. What she wants is justice. And she has a plan for getting it: a spell book that she found in her late mom’s belongings that actually works. Elliott recruits a coven of fellow survivors from the group. She, Madeline, Chloe, and Bea don’t have much in common, but they are united in their rage at a system that heaps judgments on victims and never seems to punish those who deserve it. As they each take a turn casting a hex against their unrepentant assailants, the girls find themselves leaning on each other in ways they never expected—and realizing that revenge has heavy implications. Each member of the coven will have to make a choice: continue down the path of magical vigilantism or discover what it truly means to claim their power. For Girls Who Walk Through Fire is a fierce and deeply moving novel about perseverance in the face of injustice and the transformational power of friendship."

Kim Derose (Author), Mia Hutchinson-Shaw (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Wanted to Be a Pilot: The Making of a Tuskegee Airman

"Sometimes history is made by a dyslexic, mischievous boy who hates school, is a descendant of one of Frederick Douglass’ half-sisters, and whose Pops was a Buffalo Soldier. In I Wanted to be a Pilot, one of the less than 100 living Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen, Franklin J. Macon, tells the lively stories of how he overcame life’s obstacles to become a Tuskegee Airman. Soar through history with Franklin as he conquers dyslexia, finds mischief, and grows up to change the course of America. Readers laugh at Frank’s childhood antics, while being reminded that disabilities like Frank’s dyslexia, repeating a grade in school, and other hardships can be overcome. I Wanted to be a Pilot encourages kids to recognize history, reach for their dreams, and even make their own toys as they are reminded of the great strength and determination of the men and women who came before them."

Elisabeth G. Harper, Franklin J. Macon (Author), Brad Sanders (Narrator)

Audiobook

Wild Wishes and Windswept Kisses

"After spending the last few months in India, Nidhi is coming back to Orcas Island, and she can't wait to see her sisters again! But thanks to a series of weather-induced travel delays, she finds herself struggling to make her way home—beside none other than her sort-of ex, Grayson. Will an old flame spark to life once again? Avani can't decide what she wants from her future. What college, what major, what career—it's all so stressful! The only thing she's sure about is Fernando, but lately, things between them have been anything but smooth. Will they manage to save their relationship? And how will she ever decide what to do with her life? Sirisha is trying to overcome her first heartbreak after her romance with Brie has fizzled out. But it's not easy—especially when your ex wants to be friends and everyone acts like they've got you all figured out. Sirisha's ready for a change. Will she be able to break out of her shell? Rani has the perfect relationship with her boyfriend, Raj. And she won't let anyone forget it! That's why her short film for the festival is all about their epic love story, one that transcends time and space. But when filmmaking stress reveals cracks beneath the surface, how will Rani respond? Relationships fall apart and come together. But through it all, there's one thing the Singhs can count on: Their family will always be there for one another. 'The Singh sisters are our modern-day Little Women...an utterly charming series to curl up with over a long weekend.' —Susan Azim Boyer, author of Jasmine Zumideh Needs a Win and The Search for Us 'Heartfelt and charming! Prasad’s lyrical prose breathes life and joy into the stories of the Singh sisters as they fall in and out of love, while always staying true to themselves and each other. This swoony slice-of-life romance melted my heart.' —Leslie Vedder, bestselling author of The Bone Spindle trilogy"

Maya Prasad (Author), Soneela Nankani (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Meine Schwester Eva: Band 1

"Drei sind (k)einer zuviel. Drei junge Erwachsene, von denen zwei Geschwister sind, entdecken die Liebe zueinander. Die Geschichte erzählt das ungewöhnliche Verhältnis der jungen Eva zu ihrem Bruder Andreas und zu ihrer besten Freundin Rebecca aus Kindertagen. Als Andreas und Rebecca Gefühle füreinander entwickeln, befürchtet Eva die beiden wichtigsten Personen in ihrem Leben zu verlieren. Dass der fast schon panische Versuch, das zu verhindern, dazu führt, dass die Drei in einer eher unkonventionellen Beziehung zueinander landen, die so nie geplant war. Dieses 'Epos' (bisher bereits über 21 Bücher) beschreibt das Leben der Drei, ihrer Familien und Freunde. Wir erleben Hochs und Tiefs, Liebe und Hass. Das Erwachsenwerden mit all seinen schönen Momenten aber auch den Schwierigkeiten, die wohl jeder erlebt hat und zusätzlich noch die, die der speziellen Situation geschuldet sind. Im Laufe der Jahre erweitert sich der 'Harte Kern', von dem die Geschichte erzählt. Sowohl Natascha, die plötzlich und unerwartet zur Familie stößt, als auch Laura, die ihren ersten großen Auftritt unter einem Bett hatte, haben inzwischen ihren festen Platz innerhalb der Handlung und zeitgleich ihre eigene, gemeinsame Geschichte erhalten. Freundschaften kommen und gehen, Beziehungen ändern sich und manche Personen werden schneller erwachsen als ihnen lieb ist. Andere wiederum scheinbar nie … Was als ziemlich erotische Geschichte begann, ist inzwischen mehr eine Coming-of-Age-Story mit Anleihen bei Drama, Krimi, Fantasy und Liebesschnulze, mit immer noch erheblichem Erotikanteil."

Andreas Coun (Author), Melina Zahren (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Aquellos días

"La nueva novela de Sue Zurita, autora de El viaje de los colibríes, un fenómeno editorial con más de 100 000 ejemplares vendidos. Cuando el papá de Abigail muere, ella y su mamá deciden comenzar una nueva vida en otra provincia y, aunque les duele alejarse del mundo que hasta entonces han conocido, descubren poco a poco que la vida les depara muchas sorpresas y que la felicidad siempre logra abrirse camino. La hacienda chocolatera Tunkuluchú será el escenario de las aventuras que protagonizarán Abigail y su nueva amiga, Justina, quienes gozan de la inocencia propia de la niñez. Pero también los adultos aprenderán a vivir como si cada día fuera un regalo. Entre leyendas, supersticiones y tradición, encontrarán la alegría, la esperanza y, tal vez, el amor... Sue Zurita nos transporta al Tabasco de los años ochenta: gracias a sus descripciones detalladas podremos disfrutar de las comidas y los dulces típicos de la región, caminar entre las ceibas, escuchar el canto de los pájaros, sentir el cálido viento de verano. Esta novela tiene el poder de evocar los días que no volverán, aquellos en los que disfrutábamos del abrazo de los abuelos, la música de nuestros padres, los juegos infantiles, el primer amor. A veces el recuerdo de los días felices sólo es el impulso para un nuevo comienzo…"

Sue Zurita (Author), Astrid Mariel Romo (Narrator)

Audiobook