Tough Topics Audiobooks

Nigeria Jones: A Novel

"Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner! “An unwavering proclamation of Black girlhood.” —Candice Iloh, author of National Book Award finalist Every Body Looking From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and coauthor of Punching the Air, comes a bold new YA coming-of-age story that explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics. The ideal next read for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jacqueline Woodson, and Roxane Gay. Warrior Princess. That’s what Nigeria Jones’s father calls her. He has raised her as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. Nigeria is homeschooled and vegan and participates in traditional rituals to connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother—the perfect matriarch of their Movement—disappears, Nigeria’s world is upended. She finds herself taking care of her baby brother and stepping into a role she doesn’t want. Nigeria’s mother had secrets. She wished for a different life for her children, which includes sending her daughter to a private Quaker school outside of their strict group. Despite her father’s disapproval, Nigeria attends the school with her cousin, Kamau, and Sage, who used to be a friend. ­There, she begins to flourish and expand her universe. As Nigeria searches for her mother, she starts to uncover a shocking truth. One that will lead her to question everything she thought she knew about her life and her family. From award-winning author Ibi Zoboi comes a powerful story about discovering who you are in the world—and fighting for that person—by having the courage to be your own revolution."

Ibi Zoboi (Author), Marcella Cox (Narrator)

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Chasing Pacquiao

"'Rod Pulido delivers the ultimate one-two punch: bare-knuckled, bruising honesty wrapped in humor, sincerity, and sweetness.' - Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Experience the extreme joys, sorrows, and triumphs of a queer Filipino-American teenager struggling to prove himself in an unforgiving world. A poignant coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of Patron Saints of Nothing and Juliet Takes a Breath. Self preservation. That's Bobby's motto for surviving his notoriously violent high school unscathed. Being out and queer would put an unavoidable target on his back, especially in a Filipino community that frowns on homosexuality. It's best to keep his head down, get good grades, and stay out of trouble. But when Bobby is unwillingly outed in a terrible way, he no longer has the luxury of being invisible. A vicious encounter has him scrambling for a new way to survive-by fighting back. Bobby is inspired by champion Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao to take up boxing and challenge his tormentor. But when Pacquiao publicly declares his stance against queer people, Bobby's faith⁠-in his hero and in himself⁠-is shaken to the core. A powerful and unflinching debut that will both shatter and uplift hearts with every read."

Rod Pulido (Author), Jesse Inocalla (Narrator)

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Julieta and the Romeos

"You’ve Got Mail meets a YA Beach Read with a bookish mystery at its heart in the newest rom-com from Maria E. Andreu. The ideal next read for fans of Emily Henry, Kasie West, and Jennifer E. Smith. Julieta isn’t looking for her Romeo—but she is writing about love. When her summer writing teacher encourages the class to publish their work online, the last thing she’s expecting is to get a notification that her rom-com has a mysterious new contributor, Happily Ever Drafter. Julieta knows that happily ever afters aren’t real. (Case in point: her parents’ imploding marriage.) But then again, could this be her very own meet-cute? As things start to heat up in her fiction, Julieta can’t help but notice three boys in her real life: her best friend’s brother (aka her nemesis), the boy next door (well, to her abuela), and her oldest friend (who is suddenly looking . . . hot?). Could one of them be her mysterious collaborator? But even if Julieta finds her Romeo, she’ll have to remember that life is full of plot twists. . . .  From the author of Love in English comes a fresh take on love and romance, and a reminder to always be the author of your own life story."

Maria E. Andreu (Author), Elisa Meléndez (Narrator)

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Make the Fireflies Dance

"In this rom com from the author of Someone Else's Summer, a hopeless romantic juggles senior year stress, family problems, and faulty friendships around the end of senior year and prom. Quincy Walker is a hopeless romantic, so when she's kissed by a stranger in a dark theater, her rom-com obsessed imagination begins plotting the perfect movie-version ending to her senior year (which ends, like all great high school rom-coms, with the prom). With the help of her friends, Operation Mystery Kisser is born: a plan to set Quin up on dates with all the guys who were at the theater that night so she can discover who kissed her. The only problem? Her friends insist on blind dates, and Quin hates letting go of control--just ask the members of her group for her final project for film class. As prom draws nearer, Quin is no closer to finding who her mystery kisser was, and she's not sure she wants to continue looking. Maybe it's her dad's failing health and her brother's absence; maybe it's the fact that she's fighting with her best friend; or maybe--just maybe--it's that she's falling for a guy who definitely isn't the one she's been looking for."

Rachel Bateman (Author), Casey Holloway (Narrator)

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Picture-Perfect Boyfriend

"Two strangers, one tropical island, and lots of lies in this funny beach romance from the author of Love & Other Great Expectations! Aspiring nature photographer Kenzie Reed just can't get her straitlaced family of optometrists to take her art seriously. She's resigned to putting aside her dreams and accepting the depressing life that awaits her at the family business. She even makes up a fake, boring boyfriend-Jacob-to get her parents off her back. But when the Reeds arrive in Hawaii for spring break, Kenzie is shocked that 'Jacob' shows up at the airport-and joins their vacation. Kenzie can't reveal him as a fraud without confessing her lie, so she's stuck playing along while trying to find out who he really is. No way is she going to actually fall for him-because even though he's funny, nice, smart, and cute, he's also a liar. Isn't he? Filled with warm summer breezes and salty sea air, Becky Dean's Picture-Perfect Boyfriend will sweep you off your feet into a tropical paradise, sun on your shoulders-where love is just around a palm tree."

Becky Dean (Author), Caitlin Kinnunen (Narrator)

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Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl

""The most delightfully snarky romance I've read this year." -New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston This charming YA rom-com follows Margo, who suddenly realizes that she's gay but has no clue how to express her identity, so she enlists out-and-proud Abbie to act as her tutor on everything "Queer 101"...and first love. Margo Zimmerman is gay, but she didn't know until now. An overachiever at heart, Margo is determined to ace her newly discovered gayness. All she needs is the right tutor. Abbie Sokoloff has her own gayness down to a science. But a flunking grade in US History is threatening her acceptance to her dream school. All she needs is the right tutor. Margo agrees to help Abbie get her history grade up in exchange for "Queer 101" lessons. But as they spend more and more time together, Margo realizes she doesn't want just any girl-she wants the girl."

Brianna R. Shrum, Sara Waxelbaum (Author), Kristen Dimercurio, Marli Watson (Narrator)

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I Like Me Better

"A joyful summer romance that Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue, calls "Swoon-worthy!" This is not how soccer-star Zack Martin thought his summer would go. When the captain's prank means trouble for the whole squad, Zack's left with no choice but to take one for the team and cover for him. Now he's trading parties and beach days for community service at a seaside conservation center-fair enough. But thanks to his new reputation, the cute intern, Chip, won't even give him a shot. Still, Zack finds himself falling for Chip between dolphin encounters and shark costume disasters, which means he suddenly has way more on the line than he ever expected. Zack may be good at winning on the field, but can he keep up the lie without losing himself? "

Robby Weber (Author), Amin El Gamal (Narrator)

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Your Plantation Prom Is Not Okay

"This sharp-witted, timely novel explores cancel culture, anger, and grief, and challenges the romanticization of America's racist past with humor and heart-for readers of Dear Martin by Nic Stone and Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson.   Harriet Douglass lives with her historian father on an old plantation in Louisiana, which they've transformed into one of the South's few enslaved people's museums. Together, while grieving the recent loss of Harriet's mother, they run tours that help keep the memory of the past alive.   Harriet's world is turned upside down by the arrival of mother and daughter Claudia and Layla Hartwell-who plan to turn the property next door into a wedding venue, and host the offensively antebellum-themed wedding of two Hollywood stars.   Harriet's fully prepared to hate Layla Hartwell, but it seems that Layla might not be so bad after all-unlike many people, this California influencer is actually interested in Harriet's point of view. Harriet's sure she can change the hearts of Layla and her mother, but she underestimates the scale of the challenge…and when her school announces that prom will be held on the plantation, Harriet's just about had it with this whole racist timeline! Overwhelmed by grief and anger, it's fair to say she snaps.   Can Harriet use the power of social media to cancel the celebrity wedding and the plantation prom? Will she accept that she's falling in love with her childhood best friend, who's unexpectedly returned after years away? Can she deal with the frustrating reality that Americans seem to live in two completely different countries? And through it all, can she and Layla build a bridge between them?  "

Kelly Mcwilliams (Author), Heni Zoutomou (Narrator)

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Forever Is Now

"A poignant and lyrical young adult novel-in-verse about a Black teen coming of age in an anxiety-inducing world, from the author of For Black Girls Like Me and In the Key of Us. I'm safe here. That's how Sadie feels, on a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend's arms. School is out, and even though she's been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie is hopeful better times are ahead. Or at least, she thought she was safe. When her girlfriend reveals some unexpected news and the two witness a violent incident of police brutality unfold before them, Sadie's whole world is upended in an instant. I'm not safe anywhere. That's how Sadie feels every day after―vulnerable, uprooted. She retreats inside as the weeks slip by and relies on her phone to stay connected to the outside world. When Sadie's therapist gives her a diagnosis for her debilitating panic―agoraphobia―she starts on a path of acceptance and healing. Meanwhile, Sadie's best friend, Evan, updates her on the protests taking place in their city. Sadie wants to be a part of it, to use her voice and affect change. But how do you show up for your community when you can't even leave your house? I can build a safe place inside myself. That's what Sadie learns over the course of one life-changing summer, with some help from her family, her best friend, an online platform for activists, and a magnetic crush she develops for the new boy next door. From critically acclaimed author Mariama J. Lockington comes Forever is Now, a powerful young adult novel-in-verse about mental health, love, family, Black joy, and finding your voice and power in an unforgiving world."

Mariama J. Lockington (Author), Angel Pean (Narrator)

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How Far We've Come

"A groundbreaking and critically-acclaimed debut novel of friendship and freedom that crosses continents and centuries, in a timeslip story exploring the legacy of slavery, selected as The Times Children's Book of the Week. Sometime, me love to dream that me is a human, a proper one, like them white folks is. Enslaved on a plantation in Barbados, Obah dreams of freedom. As talk of rebellion bubbles up around her in the Big House, she imagines escape. Meeting a strange boy who's not quite of this world, she decides to put her trust in him. But Jacob is from the twenty-first century. Desperate to give Obah a better life, he takes her back with him. At first it seems like dreams really do come true - until the cracks begin to show and Obah sees that freedom comes at an unimaginable cost . . . Hopeful and devastating, this powerful novel about equality, how far we've come, and how far we still have to go, introduces an extraordinary new literary voice. Praise for How Far We've Come: 'A powerful exploration of racism, solidarity, friendship, freedom and hope' Laura Bates 'One of the most impressive young adult debuts of the year. This gripping novel takes a nuanced look at the legacy of slavery, injustice and inequality in today's world' Observer    'Both hopeful and heartbreaking, this gripping book turns a searchlight on the changing faces of injustice through time' Guardian   'A brilliant idea and a powerful debut' The Times, Children's Book of the Week   'A seriously impressive debut. Read it now' Irish Times 'A powerful, ambitious, unforgettable read about freedom, rebellion, love and hope' Liz Hyder   'A gut punch of a debut, this book is both vital reading and a call to arms' Laura Wood 'Compassionate, brave, authentic, educational. Everyone should read it' Abiola Bello"

Joyce Efia Harmer (Author), Joyce Efia Harmer (Narrator)

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The Land of Perception and Time: A Mystical Journey of Self-Discovery

"Have you ever wondered where we came from before we were born? Why we are here? Why supposed bad things happen to good people? The Land of Perception and Time is a fictional tale that provides clues to answer some of these questions. It is a journey of one’s imagination, understanding, and healing. Kenny is a good person who is unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal illness. But that isn’t the biggest surprise he is about to experience. This is the story of a young teen who learns how to communicate with his Higher Self … or it can be seen as the story of an eternal being who learns to communicate with his human self. Either way, get ready to experience their communication that can forever change the way you look at your life."

Kevin Murphy (Author), Graham Halstead (Narrator)

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Beauty Reborn

"Fantasy and reality collide in this retelling of Beauty and the Beast about a young woman’s heroic quest to save herself. Yes, I went to the woods to save my father. But I also went hoping I would be eaten by the Beast. Because I didn’t think anything else could save me. Beauty’s life is the stuff of fairy tales. The youngest in her family, Beauty isn’t trying to catch Stephan’s eye. He is the lord baron’s heir, well above her family’s modest station, but when he kisses her hand at a party, Beauty is swept away by his charm, his wit, and his passionate declarations of love. Hearts can be untamable creatures, especially when touched by the fires of first love, and Beauty doesn’t see the truth of Stephan’s intentions until it is too late. Until he stops asking for Beauty’s love—and simply takes it from her one night despite her refusal. Beauty locks away the secret of what happened to her, and when her father emerges from the enchanted forest with a stolen rose in his hand and the tale of a vicious beast on his breath, Beauty seizes the chance to run as far from Stephan as possible. She has some experience with beasts, after all. Certainly the one in the forest couldn’t be any worse than the one she’s already encountered. Breaking the Beast’s curse might be the key to discovering her own path to healing—and finding the courage to allow herself to feel reborn."

Elizabeth Lowham (Author), Taylor Meskimen (Narrator)

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