Tough Topics Audiobooks

We Are Totally Normal

"In this queer contemporary YA, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story, Nandan’s perfect plan for junior year goes awry after he hooks up with a guy for the first time. Nandan’s got a plan to make his junior year perfect, but hooking up with his friend Dave isn’t part of it—especially because Nandan has never been into guys. Still, Nandan’s willing to give a relationship with him a shot. But the more his anxiety grows about what his sexuality means for himself, his friends, and his social life, the more he wonders whether he can just take it all back. Is breaking up with Dave—the only person who’s ever really gotten him—worth feeling “normal” again?"

Naomi Kanakia (Author), Sunil Malhotra (Narrator)

Audiobook

Anna K

"Brought to you by Penguin. Welcome to the dizzying heights of New York's Upper East Side: where privilege, partying and scandal rules. And Anna K knows the rules by heart. Beautiful, rich and popular, she takes care to maintain her status as the perfect girlfriend, daughter and student. Then a chance encounter at Grand Central station with notorious playboy Alexi 'Count' Vronsky changes everything. Anna knows she needs to avoid Alexi, but sometimes fate has other plans . . . Soon Anna finds it impossible to resist him, and finds herself willing to risk everything she has to be with him - no matter the consequences. After all, the course of true love never did run smooth . . . © Jenny Lee 2020 (P) Penguin Audio 2020"

Jenny Lee (Author), Jenna Ushkowitz (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Be

"The #1 New York Times bestseller and a USAToday bestseller! A timely, crucial, and empowering exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America This is NOT a history book. This is a book about the here and now. A book to help us better understand why we are where we are. A book about race. The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. This remarkable reimagining of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited. Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by beloved award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives."

Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds (Author), Jason Reynolds (Narrator)

Audiobook

Want to Go Private?

"Abby and Luke chat online. They've never met. But they are going to. Soon. Abby is starting high school—it should be exciting, so why doesn't she care? Everyone tells her to 'make an effort,' but why can't she just be herself? Abby quickly feels like she's losing a grip on her once-happy life. The only thing she cares about anymore is talking to Luke, a guy she met online, who understands. It feels dangerous and yet good to chat with Luke—he is her secret, and she's his. Then Luke asks her to meet him, and she does. But Luke isn't who he says he is. When Abby goes missing, everyone is left to put together the pieces. If they don't, they'll never see Abby again."

Sarah Darer Littman (Author), Amanda Dolan (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Last to Die

"It all started out as a game. Just a way to have fun. We figured as long as we had rules, it wouldn't be a problem. RULE #1: Only break into one another's houses. RULE #2: Only take stuff that can be replaced. It worked for a while. Whoever's turn it was to break in got a rush, and the rest of us laughed over the trophies they brought back. But then someone went too far. Lives got ruined. Someone is dead. And I might be next."

Kelly Garrett (Author), Heather Costa (Narrator)

Audiobook

Wink

"Ross Molloy just wants to be normal. He doesn't want to lose his hair, or wear a weird hat, or deal with the disappearing friends who don't know what to say to 'the cancer kid'. But with his recent diagnosis of a rare eye cancer, simply blending in is no longer an option. Ross - and his friends and his family - all need to work out how to deal with this devastating challenge that Life has thrown down. Maybe Batpig can come to the rescue? Based on Rob Harrell's own real life experience of eye cancer, and including amazing comic-strip artwork, this poignant and authentic novel is unforgettable, hilarious and uplifting."

Rob Harrell (Author), Marc Thompson, Michael Crouch (Narrator)

Audiobook

If You Only Knew

"Corey has just been released from jail, and all he wants is a new beginning. But when his former gang comes knocking, Corey agrees to vandalize the home of Kent Hopper, the prosecutor who put him away. To erase the guilt she carries from getting away with a crime, Tessa spends most of her nights riding her motorcycle. When she catches Corey destroying her father’s car, she doesn’t see a criminal: she sees a way to finally right her own wrongs. So instead of turning Corey over to the police, she convinces her father to give Corey a second chance. As Tessa and Corey spend more time with each other, it becomes difficult to ignore the pull between them. But they’re both keeping secrets, and when those secrets come to light, they’ll each have to face their demons in order to have a future together."

Prerna Pickett (Author), Rachel Perry, Will Damron (Narrator)

Audiobook

Feminism Is...

"'Why are so many women - and men - nervous about calling themselves a feminist? ... It's a hopeful term... it means you believe in human rights, after all.' - Gemma Cairney, foreword What is feminism? This indispensable book for young adults answers this important question with clarity, urgency, and conviction. Feminism is... tackles more than 50 intriguing and relevant topics, such as 'Are all people equal?', 'Do boys and girls learn the same things?' and 'Can men be feminists?' Find out what equality for women really means, get a short history of feminism, and take a look at the issues that affect women at work, in the home, and around sex and identity. Along the way you will learn about some great women, such as Gloria Steinem, Frida Kahlo, and Malala Yousafzai, 'rebel girls' who refused to accept the status quo of their day and blazed a trail for others to follow. In the foreword, you will also meet Gemma Cairney, the multi-award-winning broadcaster, author, and activist. Narrated by Olivia Dowd - the first woman to play Macbeth on stage in the West End - this is a lively and accessible audiobook for teens on the history, pioneers, and the daily reality of feminism today, Feminism is... is empowering, engaging, and vital reading. 'A terrific book' - Dermot O'Leary on BBC Radio 2"

Dk (Author), Olivia Dowd (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stress Management at Work & Life: Your Strategy Guide on How to Manage Stress, Deal with Changes, Su

"Are you experiencing stress in your workplace? Do you have issues with your anger? Do you constantly drown in your worries? Is workplace stress ruining your interpersonal relationships? Are you in search of a way to control stress and its effects on your life?Everyone in life experiences stress in one way or the other. Although there are times when it is positive, most times it hurts our daily life. You can lose the ability to connect with others when experiencing the effects of stress.In other instances, it can create health issues in your life. Having the right information can help in protecting yourself from these issues. Anger control, preventing worries, dealing with stress, and maintaining a good relationship with others are all possible.These and many more are what you will find herein. All these are the topics that will bring about the positive turnaround you desire in your life.Your current stress level doesn’t matter, this book will help you alleviate the stress in your life. This is possible if you take the time to put what you learn into practice. As you see changes in your life, you will also improve the lives of those around you.Many people often wait until stress becomes crushing before taking a step to deal with it; this isn’t the right approach. You increase the risk of developing the various health issues associated with stress. If you’re lucky not to have developed any of these health issues, then don’t delay further in dealing with your stress."

Tony Fred (Author), Telly Ferias (Narrator)

Audiobook

When Morning Comes

"It's 1976 in South Africa, and four young people are living in Johannesburg and its black township, Soweto: Zanele, a black female student organizer; Meena, a South Asian girl working at her father's shop; Jack, an Oxford-bound white student; and Thabo, a teen-gang member, or tsotsi. From each of their points of view, this book explores the roots of the Soweto Uprising and the edifice of apartheid in a South Africa about to explode. Introducing readers to a remarkable young literary talent, When Morning Comes offers an impeccably researched and vivid snapshot of South African society on the eve of the uprising that changed it forever. 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."

Arushi Raina (Author), Jamie Bloch, John Fleming, Patience Mpumlwana, Tony Ofori (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly

"Working as a Wench—i.e. waitress—at a cheesy medieval-themed restaurant in the Chicago suburbs, Kit Sweetly dreams of being a Knight like her brother. She has the moves, is capable on a horse, and desperately needs the raise that comes with knighthood so she can help her mom pay the mortgage and hold a spot at her dream college. Company policy allows only guys to be Knights. So when Kit takes her brother’s place, clobbers the Green Knight, and reveals her identity at the end of the show, she rockets into internet fame and a whole lot of trouble with the management. But this Girl Knight won’t go down without a fight. As other Wenches and cast members join her quest, a protest forms. In a joust before Castle executives, they’ll prove that gender restrictions should stay medieval—if they don’t get fired first."

Jamie Pacton (Author), Jess Nahikian (Narrator)

Audiobook

Twins of Orion: The Book of Keys

"Abandoned as infants, twins Peter and Rory have never known a real family. While Peter wants nothing more than to escape his abusive adoptive father, Rory struggles to not get kicked out of her twelfth foster home since she was separated from Peter seven years ago. All that changes when magical birds appear offering to help them reunite … and return them to the home they never knew. But fate is cruel. They arrive on the planet Inara, on opposing sides of a brutal war. It is up to them to uncover the real enemy if they ever want to see each other again. Unsure of who to trust in a strange world of magic, hidden cities, and dragons, the twins must now face their childhood fears to stop an immortal being from escaping and continuing his dark mission."

J. Rose (Author), Christopher James Mayer (Narrator)

Audiobook