Tough Topics Audiobooks

Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety: My Journey Through Depression, Bulimia, and Addiction

"In Pork Belly Tacos with a Side of Anxiety, Yvonne Castañeda shares vibrant stories of her childhood growing up in Miami as the daughter of humble immigrants from Mexico and Cuba … and how she came to develop an unhealthy relationship with food. To help ease her mami’s nervios, Yvonne becomes a perfectionist from a young age, achieving high grades at school and mastering the piano. But as her Cuban family members openly make comments about her awkward desarrollo, or puberty, Yvonne enters a new phase of self-consciousness that begins her obsession with weight. She abandons the piano for the high school cheerleading team and reinvents herself, becoming both skinny and popular. However, as a first-generation adolescent born in the United States, Yvonne wrestles with the conflict between the cultural norms of her Hispanic/Latino heritage and American societal expectations. Plagued by doubt and low self-esteem, Yvonne begins a vicious cycle of weight gain and loss as she battles bulimia nervosa. Beleaguered by feelings of guilt, shame, and inferiority, she develops anxiety, depression, and a reliance on dangerous coping mechanisms. Ultimately, sage advice from her dear abuela in Guadalajara, Mexico, guides Yvonne to a realization that shifts her perspective of herself and the purpose of her life, providing a foundation for inner peace and la solución to her past struggles."

Yvonne Castañeda (Author), Frankie Corzo (Narrator)

Audiobook

SIGMA MALE MENTAILITY: What it take to have a Sigma Male Mentality

"A 'Sigma male' is a term used in the social hierarchy for a popular, successful, but highly independent and self-reliant man. He is considered to be a lone wolf. This book might help you figure out who you are at your core: - If you consider yourself to be self-sufficient. - Self-reliant - You appear to be on the periphery of the hierarchy. - Take pleasure in being alone. - And you prefer to think things through before acting. - The Sigma Male is introverted and avoids mainstream culture, but he excels in life, is well-liked by women, and enjoys success."

Chris Finley (Author), Nephtalie Benjie Moreno (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Black Girls Left Standing

"In Juliana Goodman's powerful young adult debut The Black Girls Left Standing, Beau Willet will stop at nothing to clear her sister's name. Sixteen-year-old Beau Willet has dreams of being an artist and one day leaving the Chicago projects she’s grown up in. But after her older sister, Katia, is killed by an off-duty police officer, Beau knows she has to clear her sister’s name by finding the only witness to the murder; Katia’s no-good boyfriend, Jordan, who has gone missing. If she doesn't find him and tell the world what really happened, Katia's death will be ignored, like the deaths of so many other Black women who are wrongfully killed. With the help of her friend, Sonnet, Beau sets up a Twitter account to gather anonymous tips. But the more that Beau finds out about her sister's death, the more danger she finds herself in. And with a new relationship developing with her childhood friend, Champion, and the struggle to keep her family together, Beau is soon in way over her head. How much is she willing to risk to clear her sister's name and make sure she's not forgotten? A Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends."

Juliana Goodman (Author), Ariel Blake (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Little Bit Country

"Dumplin' meets Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in this heartfelt and funny contemporary romance inspired by Dollywood, about two boys who fall in love against the backdrop of a country music-themed amusement park, from debut author Brian D. Kennedy. Perfect for fans of Erin Hahn, Phil Stamper, and David Levithan. Emmett Maguire wants to be country music’s biggest gay superstar—a far reach when you’re seventeen and living in Illinois. But for now, he’s happy to do the next best thing: Stay with his aunt in Jackson Hollow, Tennessee, for the summer and perform at the amusement park owned by his idol, country legend Wanda Jean Stubbs. Luke Barnes hates country music. As the grandson of Verna Rose, the disgraced singer who had a famous falling out with Wanda Jean, Luke knows how much pain country music has brought his family. But when his mom’s medical bills start piling up, he takes a job at the last place he wants: a restaurant at Wanda World. Neither boy is looking for romance, but sparks fly when they meet—and soon they’re inseparable. Until a long-lost secret about Verna and Wanda comes to light, threatening to unravel everything. Will Emmett and Luke be able get past the truths they discover…or will their relationship go down in history as just another Sad Country Love Song? "

Brian D. Kennedy (Author), Andrew Gibson, Mark Sanderlin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Swimming in the Monsoon Sea

"Amrith comes to terms with his sexuality in this sweeping coming-of-age story set against the stormy backdrop of monsoon season in 1980s Sri Lanka. For fans of Call Me By Your Name. Shyam Selvadurai's brilliant novels, Funny Boy and Cinnamon Gardens, have garnered him international acclaim. In his first young adult novel, now with a new cover, he explores first love with clarity, humor and compassion.   The setting is Sri Lanka, 1980, and it is the season of monsoons. Fourteen-year-old Amrith is caught up in the life of the cheerful, well-to-do household in which he is being raised by his vibrant Auntie Bundle and kindly Uncle Lucky. He tries not to think of his life "before," when his doting mother was still alive. Amrith's holiday plans seem unpromising: he wants to appear in his school's production of Othello and he is learning to type at Uncle Lucky's tropical fish business. Then, like an unexpected monsoon, his cousin arrives from Canada and Amrith's ordered life is storm-tossed. He finds himself falling in love with the Canadian boy. Othello, with its powerful theme of disastrous jealousy, is the backdrop to the drama in which Amrith finds himself immersed."

Shyam Selvadurai (Author), Rehan Mudannayake (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Secret Princess

"A surprising and romantic YA retelling-mashup of A Little Princess and The Secret Garden by bestselling authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz. Best friends Mary Lennox, Sara Crewe, and Cedric Erroll are best friends. And thank goodness, since their boarding school is basically insufferable. When one of the friends suffers a personal tragedy, a plan-and a secret-change everything for the trio . . . for good. Filled with charm and romance, and inspired by some of classic literature's most beloved characters, The Secret Princess is the perfect blend of A Little Princess and The Secret Garden-and the perfect companion to Jo & Laurie."

Margaret Stohl, Melissa De La Cruz (Author), Billie Fulford-Brown (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Yo Te Salvarè

"'Yo te salvaré de Matt de la Peña, obra ganadora de la medalla Newbery, es una 'novela conmovedora que hace alentar y apoyar a los más débiles y desamparados.' -SLJ Kidd huye de su pasado y su futuro. No tiene ni mamá ni papá, siente que no le beneficia de nada estar en el hogar de acogida para jóvenes donde vive, más que las terapias que recibe ahí. Tampoco siente que forma parte de la comunidad de la playa donde trabaja, a menos que encuentre una razón para quedarse. Olivia es rubia, tiene ojos azules y un padre adinerado. Es la chica más guapa de Cardiff. Ella le oculta algo a Kidd, pero ¿podrían alguna vez estar juntos de todos modos? Devon trata mal a las personas, es misterioso e impulsado por un deseo de muerte. Es un mejor amigo y un peor enemigo a la vez. Siguió a Kidd hasta la playa y no se irá hasta que le enseñe algunas lecciones de vida. Y a Olivia. 'Una novela psicológicamente tensa [...] con personajes intrigantes y bien desarrollados ... [que] permanecerán en las mentes de los lectores.' -Booklist 'De la Peña captura hábilmente los lados resbaladizos de una personalidad esquizofrénica en esta novela conmovedora que hace alentar y apoyar a los más débiles y desamparados.' -SLJ Finalista al Premio Amelia Elizabeth Nombrado 'Mejor libro para jóvenes' por el ALA-YALSA Seleccionado como 'Quick Pick' por el ALA-YALSA Selección del Junior Library Guild ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña's I Will Save You is a heartwarming, root-for-the-underdog novel. [SLJ] Kidd is running from his past and his future. No mom, no dad, and there's nothing for him at the group home but therapy. He doesn't belong at the beach where he works either, unless he finds a reason to stay. Olivia is blond hair, blue eyes, rich dad. The prettiest girl in Cardiff. She's hiding something from Kidd--but could they ever be together anyway? Devon is mean, mysterious, and driven by a death wish. A best friend and worst enemy. He followed Kidd all the way to the beach and he's not leaving until he teaches him a few lessons about life. And Olivia. A taut psychological novel...[with] intriguing, well-developed characters...[that] will stay with readers. -Booklist De la Peña skillfully captures the slippery sides of a schizophrenic personality in this heartwarming, root-for-the-underdog novel. -SLJ An Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award Finalist ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young Readers An ALA-YALSA Quick Pick A Junior Library Guild Selection"

Matt De La Peña (Author), Alberto Santillán (Narrator)

Audiobook

Katzenjammer

"American Horror Story meets the dark comedy of Kafka’s The Metamorphosis as Cat searches for a way to escape her high school. A tale of family, love, tragedy, and masks—the ones others make for us, and the ones we make for ourselves. Katzenjammer will haunt fans of Chelsea Pitcher’s This Lie Will Kill You and E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars. Cat lives in her high school. She never leaves, and for a long time her school has provided her with everything she needs. But now things are changing. The hallways contract and expand along with the school’s breathing, and the showers in the bathroom run a bloody red. Cat’s best friend is slowly turning into cardboard, and instead of a face, Cat has a cat mask made of her own hardened flesh. Cat doesn’t remember why she is trapped in her school or why half of them—Cat included—are slowly transforming. Escaping has always been the one impossibility in her school’s upside-down world. But to save herself from the eventual self-destruction all the students face, Cat must find the way out. And to do that, she’ll have to remember what put her there in the first place. Using chapters alternating between the past and the present, acclaimed author Francesca Zappia weaves a spine-tingling, suspenseful, and haunting story about tragedy and the power of memories. Fans of Marieke Nijkamp’s This Is Where It Ends and Karen McManus’s One of Us Is Lying will lose themselves in this novel—or maybe in the treacherous hallways of the school.  Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."

Francesca Zappia (Author), Lauren Fortgang (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Name She Gave Me

"A heartbreakingly beautiful novel in verse about adoption, family, friendship, and love in all its many forms, perfect for fans of Robin Benway and Jandy Nelson, from the acclaimed author of Three Things I Know Are True. Rynn was born with a hole in her heart—literally. Although it was fixed long ago, she still feels an emptiness there when she wonders about her birth family. As her relationship with her adoptive mother fractures, Rynn finally decides she needs to know more about the rest of her family. Her search starts with a name, the only thing she has from her birth mother, and she quickly learns that she has a younger sister living in foster care in a nearby town. But if Rynn reconnects with her biological sister, it may drive her adoptive family apart for good. This powerful story uncovers both beautiful and heartbreaking truths and explores how challenging, yet healing, family can be."

Betty Culley (Author), Ariana Delawari, Lisa Cordileone (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Silence that Binds Us

"“A grieving teen fights Asian hate by finding her voice in this complex, timely story.” —Kirkus (starred review) ''With a layered, sensitive voice, Ho’s weighty novel delves into themes of racism, classism, loss, and healing.'' —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Inspired by the recent rise in hate crimes against AAPI, Ho’s story of inclusion, diversity, and social action rings true. Maybelline is a multifaceted narrator whose drive to right wrongs and stand up to injustice deserves applause. Ho illuminates both activism and mental health in marginalized communities, showing that even a bright, young achiever can experience depression without anyone knowing.”—Booklist ''A powerful, hopeful YA debut. May’s journey through personal and familial grief is poignant and questions of power and privilege are explored with nuance that will spark conversation among teen readers.'' —School Library Journal “This sensitive novel does an impressive balancing act, examining mental illness and its stigma among Asian Americans while weaving in themes of racism and grief. The overarching messages—listening with empathy, and seeking help—ring loud and clear.” —Horn Book Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, has written an exquisite, heart-rending debut young adult novel that will inspire all to speak truth to power. Maybelline Chen isn’t the Chinese Taiwanese American daughter her mother expects her to be. May prefers hoodies over dresses and wants to become a writer. When asked, her mom can’t come up with one specific reason for why she's proud of her only daughter. May’s beloved brother, Danny, on the other hand, has just been admitted to Princeton. But Danny secretly struggles with depression, and when he dies by suicide, May's world is shattered. In the aftermath, racist accusations are hurled against May's parents for putting too much “pressure” on him. May’s father tells her to keep her head down. Instead, May challenges these ugly stereotypes through her writing. Yet the consequences of speaking out run much deeper than anyone could foresee. Who gets to tell our stories, and who gets silenced? It’s up to May to take back the narrative. Joanna Ho masterfully explores timely themes of mental health, racism, and classism.  A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of the Year for ages 14 and older in Family/School/Community and noted for outstanding merit (2023) ''An ornately carved window into the core of shared humanity. Read and re-read. Then read it again.'' —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin ''Powerful and piercing, filled with truth, love, and a heroine who takes back the narrative.'' —Abigail Hing Wen, New York Times bestselling author of Loveboat, Taipei “A held-breath of a novel that finds courage amidst brokenness, and holds a candle to the dark.” —Stacey Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl “Ho confronts racism with care and nuance, capturing the complexities of grief and growth. A poignant call to action.” —Randy Ribay, National Book Award finalist for Patron Saints of Nothing"

Joanna Ho (Author), Raechel Wong (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Silver Chain: a beautiful verse novel celebrating the healing power of music

"Uplifting and unputdownable, a coming-of-age verse novel about family, mental health and the healing power of music. Azadeh is a budding violinist on a music scholarship at an expensive private school, dealing with all the usual trials of being sixteen: trying her best to fit in, keep up and have fun. Then as her mum's mental health spirals out of control, Azadeh's world starts to unravel. Her friendships fall away, and as much as she and her dad try to keep a lid on everything, their problems insist on taking over. Feeling alone, it's her violin that finally helps Azadeh to find her way back to her friends, herself and even her mum. A beautifully packaged, highly important and irresistible novel about mental health struggles and the solace we find in music and rhythm, friendship, family and honesty."

Jion Sheibani (Author), Ajjaz Awad (Narrator)

Audiobook

Love & Other Great Expectations

"An American girl embarks on a competitive scavenger hunt in England-and along the way, meets up with a bookish British boy who might make the trip take some unexpected turns. Praise for Love & Other Great Expectations 'Take it from a romance-addicted Anglophile: Becky Dean's Love & Other Great Expectations is a dessert to be devoured. Simply put, I adored it.' -K. L. Walther, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer of Broken Rules "This smart and swoony debut is the perfect read for lovers of travel and British literature. Pack your bags and get ready to join the coolest scavenger hunt ever!" -Kristy Boyce, bestselling author of Dungeons and Drama Britt Hanson has always preferred scoring goals on the soccer field to analyzing dusty old books. But when an injury ends her dream to play in college, she jumps at the chance to compete in a scavenger hunt in England that takes her to the locations of classic novels-the prize money would change her life! Once in the UK she meets bookish and very British Luke Jackson. He can't actually help her with any of the clues (against the rules), but something about Luke compels her to invite him to join her. She wouldn't mind getting to know him-and listening to his accent. To win, Britt must outsmart three competitors who aren't afraid to play dirty while solving clues and traveling around the English countryside. Along the way, Britt learns that sometimes you have to follow the map and other times, you need to throw caution to the wind and see where the cobblestoned road leads you."

Becky Dean (Author), Jorjeana Marie (Narrator)

Audiobook