Tough Topics Audiobooks

Rise, Take Flight

"Possession. It was never supposed to happen.Unwilling to stand around and wait while Eva's been taken over by one of the Despairity, Frost works tirelessly with Beau and Leo to figure out how to free her sister. Leo shows Frost memories of The Before, and Beau admits to a chilling connection with the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eva, though, can't believe she's stuck with one of these spider wenches, Alora, inside of her. Sure, Eva's gotten pretty fast, and her reflexes have never been better, but feasting on people's souls? That was never supposed to be on the bucket list at all. When Alora reveals her sinister plan—to build an unconquerable army of Blurred Ones by placing them inside the perfect hosts—the girls and their friends must fight to protect not just Bloodcreek, but all the world. For fans of the CW's Supernatural, sisterly bonds, and twists on mythology that haven't been done before."

Cammie Larsen, Mary Gray (Author), Jessica Duncan (Narrator)

Audiobook

I LOVE SEX, I LOVE MYSELF: UNMASKING SEXUAL DEPRESSION, HEALING AND WINNING THE BATTLE WITHIN. FREE

"How to Understand a Sexually Active Person Post Sexual TraumaRegardless of how old a person is or their gender, sexual violence impacts an individual far past any of the physical injuries... The emotional trauma of being sexually assaulted or raped can be life-shattering, leaving the person feeling alone, ashamed, and in fear. The good news is that blaming yourself, feeling defective and helpless are NOT reality. As difficult as it must seem, there are strategies and techniques that will help you come to terms with the unfortunate circumstances in your life so you can regain your sense of trust and safety, and learn how to heal and move forward in your life.  - Understanding Sexual Repression/Depression. - Shame around any form of nudity - Discomfort or shock when viewing anything sexual on TV or in the movies - Shaming you for sexually expressing yourself in any way (i.e., You dirty boy, take your hand off of there!”),  - Dirty, bad, and/or wrong labels for sex (Dirty magazines) - Anything having to do with sexuality is a family secret, stiff gender roles, and punishment for any type of sexual expression If you follow the training in this book, it is very likely that you will have the tools necessary to never fall back into toxic shame, depression/repression, etc.… again."

Lavender Jones M.D. (Author), Rebbeca Cade (Narrator)

Audiobook

Ivy and Kem and the Seven Universal Principles

"Discover a world where friendship meets life lessons! Do you believe in the power of positive thinking? Have you been searching for a way to teach a young person about universal law? 'This is a really great book to read with your kids, whether they are 2 or 16. I learned a lot from it, too!' - parent reader Ivy and Kem & the Seven Universal Principles teaches valuable life lessons about living in harmony with yourself and the universe. This book is an excellent starting point for exploring the power of our thoughts and cultivating self-love through modern stories and the teachings of the 7 Universal Principles. This book inspires kids to see themselves in Ivy and Kem while learning essential life skills. Follow Ivy and Kem, two lively pre-teens, as they explore their world filled with laughter, challenges, and plenty of teachable moments. Each chapter includes a short story from Ivy and Kem and a detailed explanation of each principle. These powerful lessons will benefit the reader as they experience life. It is perfect for parents who want to instill these mindfulness tools in adolescents or want to begin explaining these concepts to younger children. This book is a great read-aloud, think-together, and talk-about-it book for parents and educators. The Universal Principles, or Laws, are timeless truths that have guided the universe for over 5,000 years. Through engaging short stories and beautiful full-color illustrations, this book simplifies these 7 Principles—Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender—making them easy for children to understand. Think of it as the Kybalion for kids. Get your copy now and empower your child with the skills to lead a mindful and more aligned life!"

Rhea Welch (Author), Rhea Welch (Narrator)

Audiobook

Witchshadow: A Witchlands Novel

"Susan Dennard's New York Times bestselling, young adult epic fantasy Witchlands series continues with the story of the Threadwitch Iseult. War has come to the Witchlands . . . and nothing will be the same again. Iseult has found her heartsister Safi at last, but their reunion is brief. For Iseult to stay alive, she must flee Cartorra while Safi remains. And though Iseult has plans to save her friend, they will require her to summon magic more dangerous than anything she has ever faced before. Meanwhile, the Bloodwitch Aeduan is beset by forces he cannot understand. And Vivia-rightful queen of Nubrevna-finds herself without a crown or home.  As villains from legend reawaken across the Witchlands, only the mythical Cahr Awen can stop the gathering war. Iseult could embrace this power and heal the land, but first she must choose on which side of the shadows her destiny will lie."

Susan Dennard (Author), Cassandra Campbell (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Chorus Rises: A Song Below Water novel

"'Narrator Eboni Flowers creates the perfect voice for the charismatic Naema in this thoughtful story meshing magic and media.' -- AudioFile Magazine THE LATEST NOVEL FROM YA SENSATION BETHANY C. MORROW Meet Naema Bradshaw: a beautiful Eloko, once Portland-famous, now infamous, as she navigates a personal and public reckoning where confronting the limits of her privilege will show Naema what her magic really is, and who it makes her. Teen influencer Naema Bradshaw has it all: she’s famous, stylish, gorgeous--and she’s an Eloko, a charismatic person gifted with a melody that people adore. Everyone loves her--until she's cast as the villain who exposed a Siren to the whole world. Dragged by the media, and canceled by her fans, no one understands her side: not her boyfriend, not her friends, not even her fellow Eloko. Villified by those closest to her, Naema heads to the Southwest where she is determined to stage a comeback... to her family, her real self, and the truth about her magic. What she finds is a new community in a flourishing group of online fans who support her. At first, it feels like it used to--the fandom, the adoration, the community that takes her side--but when her online advocates start targeting other Black girls, Naema will realize that--for Black girls like her--even the privilege of fame has its limits. And only Naema can discover the true purpose of her power, and how to use it. “A watery and melodic crossroads of the real and the mythic, A Chorus Rises lures readers with its seductive and beautifully Black siren song. An enthralling tale of Black girl magic and searing social commentary ready to rattle the bones.” —Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles series A Chorus Rises is a timely confrontation of the evolving nature of popularity in a society that chooses 'exceptions' and rewards 'model minorities.' A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Teen"

Bethany C. Morrow (Author), Cherise Boothe, Eboni Flowers (Narrator)

Audiobook

Heartbreakers and Fakers

"From the author of The Best Laid Plans comes another fresh voiced, hilarious rom-com perfect for fans of You Have a Match and The Rest of the Story. Penny Harris just ruined her life. As one of the most popular girls in school, she's used to being invited to every party, is dating the Jordan Parker, and can't wait to rule senior year with her best friend, Olivia. But when Penny wakes up on Jordan's lawn the morning after his first-day-of-summer bash, she knows something went horribly wrong the night before. She kissed Kai Tanaka. Kai, her longtime nemesis. Kai, Olivia's boyfriend. Penny can't figure out what could have inspired her to do it--she loves Jordan and she would never hurt Olivia--but one thing's for sure: freshly dumped, and out a best friend, the idyllic summer she pictured is over. And despite the fact that Jordan seems to be seeking comfort (and a whole lot more) in Olivia, all Penny can think about is winning him back. Kai wants to save his relationship too, so they come up with a plan: convince their friends that they really do have feelings for each other. After all, everyone forgives a good love story, and maybe seeing Penny and Kai together will make Jordan and Olivia change their minds. But as summer heats up, so does Penny and Kai's 'relationship,' and Penny starts to question whether she's truly faking it with Kai, if he's really as terrible as she always thought he was, and if the life she's fighting so hard to get back is the one she really wants."

Cameron Lund (Author), Cameron Lund, Rachel L. Jacobs (Narrator)

Audiobook

Skate for Your Life

"Pocket Change Collective was born out of a need for space. Space to think. Space to connect. Space to be yourself. And this is your invitation to join us. 'Wow! Leo's vulnerability and authenticity allowed me to experience his pain and triumph. A great testament to the positive power of skateboarding and the dangers of gender.' --Elissa Steamer (skateboarding pioneer) 'In Skate for Your Life, Leo Baker invites us on the intimate journey toward self-realization. Leo's deep passion for skateboarding is beautifully communicated while bringing to light the difficult reality of breaking the mold on a public stage. This book synthesizes what so many LGBTQIA people can relate to--the lifelong journey of seeking out spaces where we fit in, and when we don't find them, making new ones.' --JD Samson (musician, producer, and songwriter) In this moving, personal story, professional skateboarder Leo Baker shares their journey within the sport and the importance of authenticity and allyship as a non-binary athlete. Pocket Change Collective is a series of small books with big ideas from today's leading activists and artists. 'Your authenticity is your superpower.' That's the motto that professional skateboarder Leo Baker lives by and champions. But like any hero's journey, learning about their power didn't come easy. In this installment of the Pocket Change Collective, Baker takes the reader on a complicated, powerful journey through the world of skate and competitive sport as a non-binary athlete."

Leo Baker (Author), Em Grosland (Narrator)

Audiobook

One Great Lie

"Four starred reviews! A "quietly triumphant" (Horn Book Magazine) and atmospheric YA story of romance, mystery, and power about a young woman discovering her strength in lush, sultry Venice—from the Printz Honor–winning author of A Heart in a Body in the World. When Charlotte wins a scholarship to a writing workshop in Venice with the charismatic and brilliant Luca Bruni, it's a dream come true. Writing is her passion, she loves Bruni's books, and going to that romantic and magical sinking city gives her the chance to solve a long-time family mystery about a Venetian poet deep in their lineage, Isabella Di Angelo, who just might be the real author of a very famous poem. Bruni's villa on the eerie island of La Calamita is extravagant—lush beyond belief, and the other students are both inspiring and intimidating. Venice itself is beautiful, charming, and seductive, but so is Luca Bruni. As his behavior becomes increasingly unnerving, and as Charlotte begins to unearth the long-lost work of Isabella with the help of sweet, smart Italian Dante, other things begin to rise, too—secrets about the past…and secrets about the present. As the events of the summer build to a shattering climax, Charlotte will be forced to confront some dark truths about the history of powerful men—and about the determination of creative girls."

Deb Caletti (Author), Imani Jade Powers (Narrator)

Audiobook

Fierce as the Wind

"Heartbreak pushes one Hawaiian girl to find her strongest self in this authentic and emotional story of personal transformation that's perfect for fans of The Running Dream. When Miho's boyfriend breaks up with her without warning, all she can see is red--the color of blinding fury and pain, and the color of the fire she sets in an oil drum on the beach, burning every scrap of their memories. It's spring of senior year in Oahu, and while her friends are getting ready for college, Miho's deep in her misery, delivering pizzas on her bike. But then inspiration strikes: she'll do a triathlon. The training is brutal for a girl who has never even run a mile--though she can bike and swim. With the constant support of her friends and her dad, Miho digs deep to find just how fierce her determination is and how many obstacles she can overcome. Acclaimed author Tara Wilson Redd explores the intersections of race and class, and heartbreak and hope, with authentic honesty."

Tara Wilson Redd (Author), Jade Wheeler (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Things We Don't See

"Brought to you by Penguin. 'The year is 1987 and the sleepy village of Sandown Bay is waking up . . .' To its residents, Sandown is home - a tiny village holiday resort in the western United States. To everyone else, it's a minuscule island, that brings tourists in summer and not a lot else the rest of the time. To Mona Perry, it's a mystery. Thirty-four years ago, promising singer and Sandown resident Roxy Raines went missing, and was never found. The people of the island are still reluctant to talk about it, claiming Roxy was simply a runaway, but the evidence doesn't quite add up. Mona is convinced something else is going on. Armed only with a suitcase and a microphone - to record her findings for the general public - this runaway teenager is determined to get to the bottom of the disappearance. But as Mona gets drawn deeper and deeper into the strange goings on of this isolated community, it is clear that nothing is as it seems - not even Mona's own past. Some things are meant to disappear . . . © Savannah Brown 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

Savannah Brown (Author), Savannah Brown (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Passing Playbook: TikTok made me buy it!

"Brought to you by Penguin. Love, Simon meets Friday Night Lights in this feelgood LGBTQ+ romance about a trans teen torn between standing up for his rights and staying stealth. Fifteen-year-old Spencer Harris is a proud nerd, an awesome big brother and a Messi-in-training. He's also transgender. After transitioning at his old school leads to a year of bullying, Spencer gets a fresh start at Oakley, the most liberal private school in Ohio. At Oakley, Spencer seems to have it all: more accepting classmates, a decent shot at a starting position on the boy's soccer team, great new friends, and maybe even something more than friendship with one of his teammates. The problem is, no one at Oakley knows Spencer is trans - he's passing. So when a discriminatory law forces Spencer's coach to bench him after he discovers the 'F' on Spencer's birth certificate, Spencer has to make a choice: cheer his team on from the sidelines or publicly fight for his right to play, even if it means coming out to everyone - including the guy he's falling for. 'A sharply observant and vividly drawn debut. I loved every minute I spent in this story' - Becky Albertalli © Isaac Fitzsimons 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

Isaac Fitzsimons (Author), Jamie K. Brown (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Crossing

"Brought to you by Penguin. The brand new book by the Carnegie Medal shortlisted author of Run, Rebel. WINNER OF THE COSTA CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2021 - a trailblazing novel about two teenagers from opposite worlds; The Crossing is a profound story of hope, grief, and the very real tragedies of the refugee crisis. Natalie's world has turned upside down. She's lost her mum and her brother is descending further and further into anger and violence with a far-right gang who march the streets of Dover. Sammy has fled his home and family in Eritrea for the chance of a new life in Europe. Every step he takes is a step into the unknown - into a strange country and a hidden future. A twist of fate brings these two teens from opposite sides of the channel together, but will their journey end in hope or despair? Praise for Run, Rebel - a Guardian best book of 2020: A tightly crafted series of punchy, often heartbreaking narrative poems . . . Mann's brilliant, coruscating verse novel lays out the anatomy of Amber's revolution, and the tentative first flowerings of hope and change. Guardian © Manjeet Mann 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021"

Manjeet Mann (Author), Ahmed Hamad, Kimberley Capero (Narrator)

Audiobook