Tough Topics Audiobooks

We Don't Swim Here

"She is the reason no one goes in the water. And she will make them pay. A chilling new novel for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Lamar Giles, and Ryan Douglass. Bronwyn is only supposed to be in rural Hillwoods for a year. Her grandmother is in hospice, and her father needs to get her affairs in order. And they're all meant to make some final memories together. Except Bronwyn is miserable. Her grandmother is dying, everyone is standoffish, and she can't even go swimming. All she hears are warnings about going in the water, despite a gorgeous lake. And a pool at the abandoned rec center. And another in the high school basement. Anais tries her hardest to protect Bronwyn from the shadows of Hillwoods. She follows her own rituals to avoid any unnecessary attention—and if she can just get Bronwyn to stop asking questions, she can protect her too. The less Bronwyn pays attention to Hillwoods, the less Hillwoods will pay attention to Bronwyn. She doesn't get that the lore is, well, truth. History. Pain. The living aren't the only ones who seek retribution when they're wronged. But when Bronwyn does more exploring than she should, they are both in for danger they couldn't expect."

Vincent Tirado (Author), iiKane (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Have Something to Tell You—For Young Adults: A Memoir

"WITH A FOREWORD WRITTEN AND READ BY ARIANA DEBOSE! An instant New York Times bestseller! "A perfect juxtaposition of ordinary and extraordinary, told with humor, compassion, and unshakeable hope." —Becky Albertalli, New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda The young adult adaptation of the "hopeful" (Kirkus Reviews) and refreshingly candid bestselling memoir by the husband of a former Democratic presidential candidate about growing up gay in his small Midwestern town. Completely rewritten with new stories, including resources for readers, parents, and teachers. Growing up, Chasten Glezman Buttigieg didn't always fit in. He felt different from his father and brothers, who loved to hunt and go camping, and out of place in the rural, conservative small town where he lived. Back then, blending in was more important than feeling seen. So, when Chasten realized he was gay, he kept that part of himself hidden away for a long, painful time. With incredible bravery, and the support of his loved ones, Chasten eventually came out—and when he did, he learned that being true to himself was the most rewarding journey of all. Finding acceptance and self-love can seem like a tremendous challenge, but it's never impossible. With honesty, courage, and warmth, Chasten relays his experience of growing up in America and embracing his identity, while inspiring young people across the country to do the same."

Chasten Buttigieg (Author), Chasten Buttigieg (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Life of a Banana

"Xing Li is what some Chinese people call a banana—yellow on the outside and white on the inside. Although born and raised in London, she never feels like she fits in. When her mother dies, she moves with her older brother to live with venomous Grandma, strange Uncle Ho, and Hollywood actress Auntie Mei. Her only friend is Jay—a mixed raced Jamaican boy with a passion for classical music. Then Xing Li's life takes an even harsher turn: the school bullying escalates and her uncle requests she assist him in an unthinkable favor. Her happy childhood becomes a distant memory as her new life is infiltrated with the harsh reality of being an ethnic minority. Consumed by secrets, violence, and confusing family relations, Xing Li tries to find hope wherever she can. In order to find her own identity, she must first discover what it means to be both Chinese and British. PP Wong has delivered a unique and realistic young adult drama that is bursting with original content style and emotion."

Pp Wong (Author), Pp Wong (Narrator)

Audiobook

Where You See Yourself

"Where You See Yourself combines an unforgettable coming-of-age tale, a swoon-worthy romance, and much-needed disability representation in this story about a girl who's determined to follow her dreams. By the time Effie Galanos starts her senior year, it feels like she's already been thinking about college applications for an eternity-after all, finding a college that will be the perfect fit and be accessible enough for Effie to navigate in her wheelchair presents a ton of considerations that her friends don't have to worry about. What Effie hasn't told anyone is that she already knows exactly what school she has her heart set on: a college in NYC with a major in Mass Media & Society that will set her up perfectly for her dream job in digital media. She's never been to New York, but paging through the brochure, she can picture the person she'll be there, far from the Minneapolis neighborhood where she's lived her entire life. When she finds out that Wilder (her longtime crush) is applying there too, it seems like one more sign from the universe that it's the right place for her. But it turns out that the universe is full of surprises. As Effie navigates her way through a year of admissions visits, senior class traditions, internal and external ableism, and a lot of firsts--and lasts--she starts to learn that sometimes growing up means being open to a world of possibilities you never even dreamed of. And maybe being more than just friends with Wilder is one of those dreams..."

Claire Forrest (Author), Ali Stroker (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Night I Spent with Aubrey Fisher

"A boy determined to die. A girl determined to save his life. After the death of his little brother, Grayson’s guilt spirals his life into chaos; it’s all his fault. He wants to rewind that night back. To erase the pain he’s caused. So he’s decided; in twenty-four hours, he’ll kill himself. Then mysterious and reckless Aubrey shows up with a proposition: A “literally insane” all-night adventure that will show him the beauty in the mundane. Grayson doesn’t know why the foster girl with the piercings, crimson locks, and fishnet leggings is helping, especially when he finds out Aubrey harbors dark secrets of her own. Yet as they spend his last night learning to let go of pain, Grayson may have a new choice to make. But can he ever really be happy again? Told in a heartfelt and poignant style interspersed with quirky humor, The Night I Spent with Aubrey Fisher is a coming of age romance about two people who need to get lost in order to find each other."

Christopher M. Tantillo (Author), Eric Altheide (Narrator)

Audiobook

Warrior Girl Unearthed

"#1 New York Times bestselling author Angeline Boulley takes us back into the world of Firekeeper's Daughter in this high-stakes mystery about the power of discovering your stolen history. 16-year-old Perry Firekeeper-Birch has every intention of quitting her internship. Being stuck in a museum was never part of her lazy summer plans, but her no-nonsense Aunt Daunis had other ideas. Everything changes when Perry meets ‘Warrior Girl’, a Native American ancestor whose bones are locked away in the local university’s archives. Perry’s rebellious spark becomes a righteous blaze, and she will do whatever it takes to bring ‘Warrior Girl’ home – where she belongs. Taking matters into her own hands, she plots a daring heist with a bunch of misfits. But this uncovers much bigger secrets that Perry and her friends must set right – before their ancestors are lost forever."

Angeline Boulley (Author), Isabella Star Lablanc (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Way I Used to Be

"In the tradition of Speak, this extraordinary debut novel “is a poignant book that realistically looks at the lasting effects of trauma on love, relationships, and life” (School Library Journal, starred review). Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn’t change who she was. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes. What was once simple, is now complex. What Eden once loved—who she once loved—she now hates. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore, and she knows she’s supposed to tell someone what happened but she can’t. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she used to be. Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year—this provocative debut reveals the deep cuts of trauma. But it also demonstrates one young woman’s strength as she navigates the disappointment and unbearable pains of adolescence, of first love and first heartbreak, of friendships broken and rebuilt, all while learning to embrace the power of survival she never knew she had hidden within her heart."

Amber Smith (Author), Rebekkah Ross (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Wie Wellen im Sturm - Liebe ist-Reihe, Teil 1 (Ungekürzt)

"Mit dieser Reihe (ab 14 Jahren) feiert Spiegel-Bestseller-Autorin Alicia Zett die Liebe in allen Facetten und Farben Die 16-jährige Louise hat das Gefühl, nicht dazuzugehören. In der Schule verbringt sie die Pausen meist allein, und in ihrer Freizeit flüchtet sie sich in ihre Fantasy-Geschichten, denn Schreiben ist Louises größte Leidenschaft. Als sie durch ihre Schriftstellerei ein Stipendium für das renommierte Internat Schloss Mare an der Nordseeküste erhält, steht ihr Leben plötzlich Kopf. Im Fußballteam des Internats findet sie schnell Anschluss, und zum ersten Mal fühlt sich Lou angenommen. Nur aus Kapitänin Mika wird sie nicht richtig schlau. Umso verwirrter ist Lou, als sie bemerkt, dass ihre wachsenden Gefühle für Mika weitaus mehr als nur freundschaftlich sind ... Eine mitreißende LGBTQIA+ Geschichte über Selbstfindung, Freundschaft und die Liebe zwischen zwei Mädchen, die im selben Fußballteam spielen."

Alicia Zett (Author), Hannah Schepmann (Narrator)

Audiobook

The way of the pickup artist

"Have you ever wondered what's behind the hood of a successful pickup? What happens when you learn so many techniques, but you actually want to be yourself. Because everyone can cover themselves up, but is that really the point? Is it possible to be yourself and still be successful? Yes, it is possible. Behind the real success with women, there are not techniques, but principles. Deep principles that will be covered in this book. And if you live by these principles, you will be successful no matter what you are. The book 'The Way of the Pickup Artist' was born two years after the publication of my first book 'The Art of Being Successful with Women'. Looking back in time, I found that there are quite a few things that could be added to cover the whole picture. They are very often subtle, and it is difficult to guess about them, although they are all the time in front of you. One has to devote years of his life to dating and meeting women in order to touch them. But with this book, I give it all to you ready-made. This is an upgrade over what you have learned so far, a new level in the Game. When you study the different methods for picking up girls, you are bombarded with conflicting information from all sides. Everyone has something new to teach you. Sometimes you wonder where to start, you feel confused. Then this book is for you. With it, the contradictions end, because it will teach you to see things in depth. Because techniques are always superficial and contradictory, but principles are eternal."

Iliyan Topchiev (Author), Iliyan Topchiev (Narrator)

Audiobook

[German] - Die Kunst, mit Frauen Erfolgreich zu Sein

"Hast du dich jemals gefragt, was einen bestimmten Männertyp erfolgreich bei Frauen macht? Oder warum für einige der Erfolg eine Selbstverständlichkeit ist, während andere ihr Leben lang kämpfen? Warum sind einige Männer 'gesegnet' und andere nicht? Warum spürst du so oft eine unsichtbare Wand zwischen dir und dem Erfolg, den du so verzweifelt bei Frauen haben willst? Du hast das Gefühl, dass diese Mauer unzerbrechlich ist, dass sich nichts jemals ändern kann. Nun, heute bin ich hier, um dir zu sagen, dass Scheitern etwas ist, das nur in deiner Vorstellung existiert. Dass es nur sehr wenige Eigenschaften gibt, die dich von dem Mann unterscheiden, der von Frauen geliebt wird. Dieses Buch ist so etwas wie ein Höhepunkt meines bisherigen Lebens als Pickup-Artist. Ich habe lange gebraucht, um es zu schreiben. Aber es ist nicht das Schreiben, das die meiste Zeit in Anspruch nimmt, sondern die Wege, um zu all diesen Erkenntnissen zu gelangen. Sechs Jahre lang suchte ich nach der Wahrheit, nahm an vielen Workshops teil, sprach mit unglaublich vielen unbekannten Frauen, verbrachte viele schlaflose Nächte damit, meine Fragen zu beantworten. Das Buch 'Die Kunst, mit Frauen erfolgreich zu sein' taucht dich vollständig in die Welt des Pickups ein und zeigt dir, wie du dich selbst, die Menschen um dich herum und die Frauen mit den Augen eines Mannes siehst, der sechs Jahre seines Lebens der Kunst der Verführung gewidmet hat. Nachdem du dieses Buch gelesen hast, wirst du genau wissen, wie du jedes deiner Verführungsziele erreichen kannst. Es wird dir einen unglaublichen Startschuss für den Erfolg geben, den du dir schon immer gewünscht hast."

Iliyan Topchiev (Author), Iliyan Topchiev (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Place Beyond Her Dreams

"2021 National Indie Excellence Awards Winner in Young Adult Fiction! 'We are most courageous at our weakest; when we believe we have faced what we fear the most and have nothing more to lose.' Set against the backdrop of two warring towns, Oby Aligwekwe's Young Adult debut—told from the viewpoint of her main character—is inspired by her West African heritage, fables, and spiritual beliefs. Ona's journey reveals the power of choice, the true source of happiness, and, most importantly, the transformation one must go through to realize and eventually occupy their purpose. At the sudden death of her grandfather, Ona's pain transports her to mystical Luenah—a place of infinite possibilities, free of turf wars and other ills that plague the earthly dimension she lives in. In Luenah, where her grandfather awaits her, Ona learns she is an Eri, one bestowed with unique intuitive and spiritual gifts passed down from generation-to-generation.  On her eighteenth birthday, she returns to Luenah and is handed a box to deposit her 'exchange' for love and happiness—her greatest desires. Burdened by her quest, Ona crosses paths with danger and heartbreak as the two men that love her dearly are viciously pitted against each other. As evil looms, she learns that dreams carry a hefty price, and no one is who they seem. Now, she must unmask the villain and save the one she loves, even at the risk of losing everything she holds dear."

Oby Aligwekwe (Author), Joniece Abbott-Pratt (Narrator)

Audiobook

Southpaw Sully: Foreword by Jim Abbott

"Join Sully, a remarkable teenager who refuses to let his disability define him, as he embarks on a mission to honor his twin brother's memory and make history on the baseball field. 'Southpaw Sully is irresistible. It's funny, smart, and ultimately wise—about baseball and about life.'—Mick Cochrane, author of THE GIRL WHO THREW BUTTERFLIES, a Booklist Top 10 Sports Book for Youth Fourteen-year-old Sully is determined to learn how to pitch as a right-hand amputee. Struggling to adjust to life after the accident that took his own hand and his twin brother's life, Sully seeks to realize the big dream he and his bro once shared: to bring home a first-ever championship for their town in an annual baseball tournament. As Sully leads his team on an exciting Cinderella run in the tourney, a bully from a rival team will stop at nothing to ensure there's no fairytale ending. When a distressing situation unfolds, Sully must choose between the game he loves and being there for his family. BONUS: Enjoy a foreword written by Jim Abbott, a famed former Major League Baseball pitcher who never let his birth defect of having only one hand stop him from pursuing his dreams."

Steven Carman (Author), Josh Horowitz (Narrator)

Audiobook