Tough Topics Audiobooks

The Hidden Threads of Existence: A Philosophical and Spiritual Journey

"This audiobook is narrated by a digital voice. The Hidden Threads of Existence is a profound exploration of life’s deepest questions—our purpose, the nature of reality, and the illusions that shape our world. Blending philosophy, spirituality, and social reflection, this book challenges conventional wisdom, encouraging readers to break free from societal expectations and embrace a life of authenticity and meaning. Through introspective storytelling and thought-provoking insights, it unravels the struggles of the middle class, the pursuit of happiness, and the eternal quest for truth, guiding readers toward self-awareness and inner fulfillment."

Harshit Arya (Author), Digital Voice Rudra E (Narrator)

Audiobook

Play Me a Tale

"Whether you're currently a child or an adult who has remained young at heart and looks back at your childhood with fond memories 'Play Me a Tale' is for you. If neither of these apply fear-not, perhaps a story filled with childlike innocence and imaginative play will whisk you away into a world you've longed to revisit. 1. Have you ever spent countless hours in make-believe worlds? 2. Did you go on daring adventures or travel through time? 3. Did you face challenges and learn to overcome fears? 4. Did you spend time deepening family bonds through hours of play? 5. Do you wish there was a magical music box that could bring your imagination to life? 6. Would you like to see what one remarkable young girl does with such a music box? Let the magic of this story inspire you or help you reminisce of days gone by, but be warned. You must believe in the power of a magical imagination. Nina was born with quite an exceptional imagination. Before she could speak, her endless babbling with her toys amused her parents. Over the years Nina’s creative play would help her parents remember when they were little and how they too could spend hours in a make-believe world. Wherever Nina was, she would find a way to have the most remarkable adventures. Her family treasured how her pure heart made her playtime so fun and entertaining. Nina soon began to remind them of her Great-Grandma Ruth, who had quite the astonishing imagination. Ruth passed before Nina was born and it wasn’t until Grandma’s move did they rediscover a family heirloom. A music box that had been treasured by Ruth. Memories of the magical music box came flooding back, but the adults believed it was merely childish belief. Even the magic words, “Play me a tale,” seemed like nothing more than a cute phrase. Was that really all it was or was there some truth in the magic of the music box? Would Nina be able to uncover the truth?"

T.L. Stevens (Author), Cami Gubler (Narrator)

Audiobook

Lies on the Serpent's Tongue

"In this haunting companion to Bittersweet in the Hollow, a girl who can smell the lies of others uncovers the incendiary mysteries of her small Appalachian town. Everybody lies. And in knowing their lies, I become the keeper of their secrets. As Caball Hollow slowly recovers from a tumultuous summer, the James family must also come to terms with their own newly revealed secrets. 18-year-old Rowan James has spent her whole life harboring unpleasant truths-that's what happens when you can smell lies on the teller's breath-and building walls around herself to block them out. Like her younger sister, Linden, who can taste the feelings of others, Rowan has long struggled with her gift, which has taught her that everyone distorts the truth, and no one is who they seem to be. So when her old rival Hadrian Fitch shows up on her front porch-bloodied and bruised and asking for the kind of help only she can provide-her first instinct is distrust. Except Hadrian's attack isn't the only strange occurrence. Now small items are disappearing, but rather than report the losses the owners act as if their missing things never existed. Rumors of a new monster prowling the Hollow begin to swirl. But how can Rowan smoke out the culprit in a town full of secrets? And worse, how can Rowan trust beautiful, solemn Hadrian when every other word he speaks has the distinct burnt smell of a lie?"

Kate Pearsall (Author), Julie Webster (Narrator)

Audiobook

Halfway There: A Graphic Memoir of Self-Discovery

"A poignant young adult graphic memoir that follows one teen's year abroad in Japan, as she seeks to reconcile both sides of her biracial identity. Christine has always felt she is just half: Half American, half Japanese. As a biracial Japanese American who was born in Tokyo but raised in the US, she knows all too well what it's like to be a part of two different worlds but never feeling as though you belong to either. Now on the brink of adulthood, Christine decides it's time to return to the place she once called home. So she sets forth on a year abroad in Tokyo, believing that this is where she truly belongs. After years of feeling like an outsider, now she will finally be complete.  Except…Tokyo isn't the answer she thought it would be. Instead of fitting in, Christine finds herself a fish out of water, as being half of two cultures isolates her in ways she'd never imagined. All she can do is try to stay afloat for the rest of the year-still figuring out who she is, what she wants in life, and whether she'll ever truly be more than halfway there.    Author-illustrator Christine Mari explores what it means to lose and find yourself in this moving narrative of belonging and home. "

Christine Mari (Author), Alice Wen, Chieko Hidaka, Sara Matsui Colby, Siho Ellsmore (Narrator)

Audiobook

All the Love Under the Vast Sky

"Twelve short stories in verse by bestselling and award-winning authors that explore the highs and lows of love - romantic, platonic, familial, and self-love. Love can be many things - all-consuming, fleeting, vengeful, selfless, toxic, uplifting, and always, a core part of the teen experience that leaves an indelible mark. This enchanting, genre-crossing anthology delivers something for every reader with unique characters, global settings, and a dazzling mixture of myth, historical, speculative, and contemporary fiction. With the turn of a page, get swept away by unexpected love blooming between two princes from enemy Mesoamerican nations in the 15th century, who'd rather make music rather than war; cheer for a timid bearded lady who was shunned by her family and runs away to find belonging and safety at the circus during the 1800s experience the heartbreak of saying goodbye to a beloved pet; breathlessly watch a myth unfold as a siren bound to the water falls in love with a winged forest spirit, their love seemingly impossible from the start. Root for a girl who emerges from grief and battles with chronic pain to discover how to love herself and life again. Love is complicated, and this anthology embraces the messiness and the joy of all kinds of love. Contributors include: - Alexandra Alessandri - David Bowles - Melanie Crowder - Margarita Engle - Eric Gansworth - Robin Gow - Mariama J. Lockington - Laura Ruby - Padma Venkatraman - Jasmine Warga - Charles Waters - Kip Wilson"

Alexandra Alessandri, Charles Waters, David Bowles, Eric Gansworth, Jasmine Warga, Kip Wilson, Laura Ruby, Margarita Engle, Mariama Lockington, Melanie Crowder, Padma Venkatraman, Robin Gow (Author), TBD (Narrator)

Audiobook

Everything Is Poison

"This historical novel in prose and verse tells the story of a deadly secret hiding in plain sight and of the women who risk everything to provide care for those with nowhere else to turn, perfect for fans of Blood Water Paint and The Lost Apothecary. Early Seventeenth-Century Rome For as long as she can remember, Carmela Tofana has desperately wanted one thing: to be allowed behind the counter of her mother's apothecary in Campo Marzio, Rome. When she turns sixteen, she's finally allowed into the inner sanctum: the workroom where her mother, Giulia Tofana, and two assistants craft renowned remedies for their customers. But for every sweet-smelling flower extract in the workroom, there's another potion requiring darker ingredients. And then there's Aqua Tofana, the apothecary's remedy of last resort for husbands who are just as deadly as any disease. In all Carmela's years of wishing to follow in her mother's footsteps, she never realized one tiny vial could be the death of them all."

Joy McCullough (Author), Joy McCullough (Narrator)

Audiobook

First Love Language

"For fans of Frankly in Love and Tokyo Ever After comes a romantic dramedy about finding love and reconnecting with your culture in the most surprising ways. Taiwanese American Catie Carlson has never fit in with her white family. As much as she loves her stepmom and stepsister, she yearns to understand more about her culture and find her biological mother. So Catie is shocked when an opportunity comes knocking on her door: Her summer spa coworker, Toby, says he'll teach her Mandarin. In exchange, she needs to teach him how to date so he can finally work up the courage to ask out his crush. The only problem is that Catie doesn't actually have any dating experience. But she can fake it. With her late father's copy of The Five Love Languages and all his annotated notes, Catie becomes the perfect dating coach. Or so she thinks. As she gets dangerously close to Toby and to finding out what really happened to her biological mom, she realizes that learning the language of love might be tougher than she thought. Stefany Valentine's debut novel is both a fresh, fun romance as well as a profound, luminous story about grief, family, transracial adoption, and what it means to truly follow your heart."

Stefany Valentine (Author), Jen Zhao (Narrator)

Audiobook

Rhino's Run

"“You can’t play it safe when you’re the captain.” From celebrated author Robert Lipsyte, this powerful coming-of-age follows high school football player Ronnie ''Rhino'' Rhinehart after a violent incident at school leaves him questioning everything he ever believed. Ronnie Rhinehart, better known as Rhino on the field, is the captain of his high school team in Woodhaven, a small town obsessed with football. His only goal is to earn a Division I football scholarship so he can escape this town forever. Until the day he punches Josh Kremens in the face. To avoid serious punishment and stay in school, Ronnie is forced to join Group, a cast of misfits who discuss their feelings with a counselor. At the same time, tensions are rising on the football team. Not everyone is happy that Ronnie, a junior, was named captain, especially Cogan and his friends the Berserkers. Other than his best friend, Andy, Ronnie struggles to find solace and support, even at home, where his dad puts pressure on him to maintain his role on the team. Reluctantly, Ronnie finds himself liking aspects of Group, even if he isn’t always a welcome presence to the other members. Then one fateful day, Keith, another Group member, comes to school with a gun . . . and everything changes."

Robert Lipsyte (Author), Gary Tiedemann (Narrator)

Audiobook

I Am Not Jessica Chen

"Jenna Chen has spent her life in the shadow of her flawless cousin. Jessica Chen is so smart she gets the top score on every test. Jessica Chen is so beautiful people stop in the hallway to stare at her. Jessica Chen is so perfect she got into Harvard. And Jenna Chen will only ever be a disappointment. So when Jenna makes a desperate wish to become her cousin, the last thing she expects is for it to come true-literally. All of a sudden she gets to live the life she's always dreamed of . . . but being the model student at cutthroat Havenwood Private Academy isn't quite what she'd imagined. Worse, people seem to be forgetting that someone named Jenna Chen ever existed. But isn't it worth trading it all away-her artistic talent, her childhood home, even the hope of golden boy Aaron Cai loving her back-to be Jessica Chen? * Kids' Indie Next Pick * "

Ann Liang (Author), Katharine Chin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart

"Leo Anthony Martino loves love. Unfortunately, love doesn't love Leo back. Leo Martino's hunt for love has been a total flop. Over the years, every single crush has ghosted him, leaving him miserable and alone. By senior year, Leo concludes he must be unlovable. It's time to stop trying. But when he finds himself obsessing over the irresistible Lincoln Chan, Leo decides to give love one last shot-and this time, he has a plan. He's going to change everything about himself to become the "perfect boyfriend." And the plan actually works. . .but will he take it too far? "

Eric Geron (Author), Pete Cross (Narrator)

Audiobook

Yours, Not Hers: 40 Devotions to Stop Comparisons and Love Your Life

"Now an ECPA bestseller! Discover the guide to true confidence and authentic living for today's teen and college-age girl! Celebrated author and speaker Kari Kampakis helps you stop playing the comparison game and embrace the unique purpose God has for your life. From navigating social media to making friends to deepening your faith, this 40-day devotional will help you become braver, bolder, and more authentically you! Chances are, you feel confident some days. You feel ready to take on the world. But then you start scrolling on social media, and your confidence tanks. Rather than embrace your life, you suddenly wish you had her life. With Yours, Not Hers: 40 Devotions to Stop Comparisons and Love Your Life, you can take the first daring step to a faith grounded in God and a life brimming with confidence. This 40-day devotional - is for teen and college-age girls who want to make real connections with others, feel comfortable in their own skin, and deepen their faith; - focuses on topics such as loneliness, anxiety, self-image, new beginnings, grace, and faith; - includes reflection questions and space for journaling; and - is a perfect choice for a graduation or birthday gift, for reading during Lent and Easter, or for a Bible study for your youth group or college dorm. This isn't just a book; it's a best friend and mentor wrapped in the written word that addresses the real issues you face each day. With Yours, Not Hers in hand, you can love your own life, unlock your potential, and follow the unique plan God has just for you! Reflection questions and space for journaling can be found in the audiobook companion PDF download."

Kari Kampakis (Author), Ashley J. Hobbs (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Foundation: will always welcome you

"Bestselling YA author Melinda Salisbury exposes the dark underbelly of new technologies in this gripping thriller. When keen gamer Ivy Finch is sent to the Ash Tree Foundation after an online encounter turns dangerous, all she can think about is getting through the internet-safety course her parents have signed her up for and going back to her life. Until she meets Conrad O'Connell, famous influencer and nephew of the Ash Tree Foundation's founder Dagmar Nilsson. Conrad showers Ivy with attention and she soon finds herself drawn into his world and his work with his aunt. But Conrad isn’t telling Ivy the whole truth about the Foundation’s purpose, and Ivy is exactly what he, and the Foundation, have been looking for… Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 8."

Melinda Salisbury (Author), Lily Anne Lefkow (Narrator)

Audiobook