Tough Topics Audiobooks

The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow

"Brought to you by Penguin. The brand new series from Zoe Sugg and Amy McCulloch Illumen Hall is an elite boarding school. Tragedy strikes when the body of a student is discovered at their exclusive summer party - on her back is an elaborate tattoo of a magpie. When new girl Audrey arrives the following term, running from her own secrets back home in America, she is thrown into solving the case. Despite her best efforts to avoid any drama, her new roommate Ivy was close to the murdered girl, and the two of them can't help but get pulled in. The two can't stand each other, but as they are drawn deeper into the mystery of this strange and terrible murder, they will discover that something dangerous is at the heart of their superficially perfect school. Welcome to The Magpie Society. One for Sorrow will be told via the alternating first person perspectives of the lead characters Audrey - written by Amy - and Ivy - written by Zoe - with the narrative being jointly plotted by both authors."

Amy McCulloch, Zoe Sugg (Author), Jill Winternitz, Katie Leung, Laurence Dobiesz, Olivia Darnley (Narrator)

Audiobook

[Spanish] - Los cinco continentes del amor

"Una enternecedora y profunda novela escrita en colaboración por Javier Ruescas y Francesc Miralles. El Amante Europeo conoce los secretos de la seducción y el romanticismo, pero a menudo construye la relación desde la fantasía. El Amante Americano vive el amor como un éxito vital, pero es más efectivo en sociedad que en las distancias cortas. El Amante Africano se guía por la cercanía y la pasión, pero adolece de impaciencia e inseguridad. El Amante Asiático quiere y cuida desde el respeto absoluto, pero le cuesta dar voz a lo que siente su corazón. El Amante Oceánico se guía por la inspiración del momento y es impredecible; hoy te lo da todo y mañana desaparece en cualquier aventura. ¿A qué continente pertenece tu corazón?"

Francesc Miralles, Javier Ruescas (Author), Elisa Langa, Javier Ruescas (Narrator)

Audiobook

This Winter

"A short novella based on the beloved characters from Alice Oseman’s acclaimed debut novel Solitaire and graphic novel series Heartstopper – now a major Netflix series. From the author of the 2021 YA Book Prize winning Loveless. The festive season isn't always happy for Tori Spring and her brother Charlie. And this year's going to be harder than most. I used to think that difficult was better than boring, but I know better now… I’m not going to think about the past few months, about Charlie and me, and all of the sad. I’m going to block it all out Just for today. 'Happy Christmas, ' I say."

Alice Oseman (Author), Holly Gibbs, Huw Parmenter (Narrator)

Audiobook

K-Pop Confidential

"'I'm still giddy over this electrifying, big-hearted, all-kill smash of a debut. I couldn't put it down.' -- Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda In this romantic coming-of-age novel about chasing big dreams, a Korean-American girl travels to Seoul in hopes of debuting in a girl group at the same K-pop company behind the most popular boy band on the planet. Perfect for fans of Mary H. K. Choi and Jenny Han. Candace Park knows a lot about playing a role. For most of her life, she's been playing the role of the quiet Korean girl who takes all AP classes and plays a classical instrument, keeping her dreams of stardom-and her obsession with SLK, K-pop's top boyband-to herself. She doesn't see how a regular girl like her could possibly become one of those K-pop goddesses she sees on YouTube. Even though she can sing. Like, really sing.So when Candace secretly enters a global audition held by SLK's music label, the last thing she expects is to actually get a coveted spot in their trainee program. And convincing her strict parents to let her to go is all but impossible ... although it's nothing compared to what comes next. Under the strict supervision of her instructors at the label's headquarters in Seoul, Candace must perfect her performance skills to within an inch of her life, learn to speak Korean fluently, and navigate the complex hierarchies of her fellow trainees, all while following the strict rules of the industry. Rule number one? NO DATING, which becomes impossible to follow when she meets a dreamy boy trainee. And in the all-out battle to debut, Candace is in danger of planting herself in the middle of a scandal lighting up the K-pop fandom around the world.If she doesn't have what it takes to become a perfect, hair-flipping K-pop idol, what will that mean for her family, who have sacrificed everything to give her the chance? And is a spot in the most hyped K-pop girl group of all time really worth risking her friendships, her future, and everything she believes in?"

Stephan Lee (Author), Joy Osmanski (Narrator)

Audiobook

One Way or Another

"Sliding Doors meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before in a sweet, smart holiday romance about a girl who decides to stop letting her anxiety stand in the way of true love. The average person makes 35,000 decisions every single day. That's about 34,999 too many for Paige Collins, who lives in debilitating fear of making the wrong choice. The simple act of picking an art elective is enough to send her into a spiral of what-ifs. What if she's destined to be a famous ceramicist but wastes her talent in drama club? What if there's a carbon monoxide leak in the ceramics studio and everyone drops dead? (Grim, but possible!)That's why when Paige is presented with two last-minute options for Christmas vacation, she's paralyzed by indecision. Should she go with her best friend (and longtime crush) Fitz to his family's romantic mountain cabin? Or should she accompany her mom to New York, a city Paige has spent her whole life dreaming about?Just when it seems like Paige will crack from the pressure of choosing, fate steps in -- in the form of a slippery grocery store floor -- and Paige's life splits into two very different parallel paths. One path leads to New York where Paige falls for the city . . . and the charms of her unexpected tour guide. The other leads to the mountains where Paige might finally get her chance with Fitz . . . until her anxiety threatens to ruin everything.However, before Paige gets her happy ending in either destiny, she'll have to face the truth about her struggle with anxiety -- and learn that you don't have to be 'perfect' to deserve true love."

Kara Mcdowell (Author), Erin Spencer (Narrator)

Audiobook

When Planets Fall

"A bloodthirsty king. A wrecked starship ready for war. A disabled mechanic is the planet's only hope. Breaker's home is cleaved by blood. The three tribes on the planet Scarlatti--whose only difference is their blood color--each want to exploit Breaker's valley for themselves. The feudal tension has already claimed red-blood Breaker's leg and his older brother. Now all Breaker wants is to maintain the tenuous peace in order to keep his little 'stroid of a brother alive. Malani, a red-blood raised blue, is a kidnapped POW. She's determined to escape and return to her adoptive home. The secrets she carries could help the blue bloods win... if they don't fall into the wrong hands. Luka wants to right the wrongs done to his family and bathe his home in justice. He'll do whatever it takes, and where Luka goes, trouble is never far behind. With the discovery of a wrecked starship, these three paths paths intersect. Breaker is given seven days by the green-bloods to fix and hand the starship over as a weapon. If he fails, his family will be killed and his home taken. War is coming. War respects no boundaries. And war leaves no survivors. The first in an epic, twisty, and page-turning sci-fi series perfect for fans of The Expanse. Pick up WHEN PLANETS FALL to discover the beginning of this space opera adventure, which Kirkus Reviews called 'A propulsive, sharply crafted tale' today!"

Abby J. Reed (Author), Lindsey Dorcus (Narrator)

Audiobook

Kingdom of Sea and Stone

"The Cruel Prince meets Ash Princess in this thrilling fantasy, the much-anticipated sequel to Crown of Coral and Pearl. Ever since Nor was forced to go to a nearby kingdom in her sister’s place, she’s wanted nothing more than to return to the place and people she loves. But when her wish comes true, she soon finds herself cast out from both worlds, with a war on the horizon. As an old enemy resurfaces more powerful than ever, Nor will have to keep the kingdom from falling apart with the help of Prince Talin and Nor’s twin sister, Zadie. There are forces within the world more mysterious than any of them ever guessed—and they’ll need to stay alive long enough to conquer them…"

Mara Rutherford (Author), Amanda Dolan (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Code for Love and Heartbreak

"FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR JILLIAN CANTOR COMES A SMART, EDGY UPDATE OF JANE AUSTEN’S BELOVED CLASSIC EMMA. Emma Woodhouse is a genius at math, but clueless about people. After all, people are unreliable. They let you down—just like Emma’s sister, Izzy, did this year, when she moved to California for college. But numbers … those you can count on. (No pun intended.) Emma’s senior year is going to be all about numbers and seeing how far they can take her. When she and George, her Coding Club copresident, are tasked with brainstorming a new project, The Code for Love is born—a matchmaking app that goes far beyond swiping, using algorithms to calculate compatibility. George disapproves of Emma’s idea, accusing her of meddling in people’s lives. But all the happy new couples at school are proof that the app works. At least at first. Emma’s code is flawless. So why is it that perfectly matched couples start breaking up, the wrong people keep falling for each other, and her own feelings defy any algorithm? Emma thought math could solve everything. But there’s nothing more complex—or unpredictable—than love."

Jillian Cantor (Author), Leah Horowitz (Narrator)

Audiobook

Cane Warriors

"Brought to you by Penguin. Moa is fourteen. The only life he has ever known is toiling on the Frontier sugar cane plantation for endless hot days, fearing the vicious whips of the overseers. Then one night he learns of an uprising, led by the charismatic Tacky. Moa is to be a cane warrior, and fight for the freedom of all the enslaved people in the nearby plantations. But before they can escape, Moa and his friend Keverton must face their first great task: to kill their overseer, Misser Donaldson. Time is ticking, and the day of the uprising approaches . . . Irresistible, gripping and unforgettable, Cane Warriors follows the true story of Tacky's War in Jamaica, 1760. © Alex Wheatle 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

Alex Wheatle (Author), Alex Wheatle, Noel Arthur (Narrator)

Audiobook

Black and British: A short, essential history

"Winner of the Book of the Year, Children's Illustrated and Non-Fiction at The British Book Awards, 2021 Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2020 A short, essential introduction to Black British history for readers of 12+ by award-winning historian and broadcaster David Olusoga. When did Africans first come to Britain? Who are the well-dressed black children in Georgian paintings? Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution? These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of the Black British history: from the Roman Africans who guarded Hadrian’s Wall right up to the present day. This children's version of the bestseller Black and British: A Forgotten History is illustrated with maps, photos and portraits. Macmillan Children's Books will donate 50p from every copy sold to The Black Curriculum."

David Olusoga (Author), Ben Onwukwe (Narrator)

Audiobook

Will & Jordan: Cyberhunt: The Will to Live

"Fifteen- year-old Jordan is a loser. Until his computer is infected by Will, a rogue artificial intelligence. After that, things start to change. But will Jordan be able to save his new digital friend from being destroyed by the Initializers that patrol the internet? And will he be able to finish his homework in time to satisfy the revolting Grumpet? Or find courage to rap for the unreachable Simone Pritchard, age sixteen, or even just get his hair turboed for the summer holidays? And what about Sean and his bullying ways? Jordan added things up: v'gent, the words on-screen… Whoa, a virtual music marketing agent. “A beat sales bot, right? What you doing?” “Only making it full AI.” “Like, a person? No way! No one’s ever done real artificial intelligence. Where’s your Nobel prize then?” “Yeah they have,” Sean growled back. “Just no one's saying…” His fingers rattled on the keyboard, typing: ‘I am, because I am.’ With a flourish, he finished: c:unity.exe “What’s that for?” “Something for the v'gent to think about – a stimulus, like. Dunno how it will turn out, but it could be quirky.” “And that’s going to turn it into an AI?” gawped Jordan. “Nooo. Twit! I already said not. Mostly they just freeze and die. Junk code’s all that’s left. But sometimes…” Sean tilted his head for emphasis. “Sometimes, they come out drooling idiots, like. When that happens it’s a laugh.” Written with gentle humour as well as seat-edge thrills, this novella will suit older as well as younger readers."

Paul Du Preez (Author), Paul Du Preez (Narrator)

Audiobook

God Loves Hair

"A tenth-anniversary edition of Vivek Shraya's first book: a YA story collection that celebrates racial, gender, and religious diversity. In 2010, Vivek Shraya self-published God Loves Hair, her first book; since then, Vivek has published six more titles, including a novel, poetry collection, graphic novel, and children's picture book, while also working as an artist, musician, and academic. God Loves Hair is a collection of short stories that follows a tender, intelligent, and curious child who navigates the complex realms of gender creativity, queerness, brownness, religion, and belonging. This tenth-anniversary edition, published in hardcover for the first time, includes a foreword by award-winning YA writer Cherie Dimaline (The Marrow Thieves), as well as a new preface, story, and illustrations. Told with the poignant insight and honesty that only the voice of a young narrator can convey, God Loves Hair is a moving and ultimately joyous portrait of the resiliency of youth. Bespeak Audio Editions brings Canadian voices to the world with audiobook editions of some of the country's greatest works of literature, performed by Canadian actors."

Vivek Shraya (Author), Vivek Shraya (Narrator)

Audiobook