Author: Kendra Winchester

Another Audiobook App I Can’t Live Without—Meet Scribd!

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date February 9, 2022

Sponsored by the audiobook of IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAIN.

In The Shadow of The Mountain, written and read by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, traces her emotional journey to Mount Everest. Vasquez-Lavado was deep in the throes of alcoholism, hiding her sexuality, and repressing memories of childhood abuse. Then she started climbing. She took her pain to Everest. But Silvia didn’t go alone. She gathered a group of young female survivors and led them to base camp alongside her. In the Shadow of the Mountain is a remarkable story of heroism, one which awakens in all of us a lust for adventure, an appetite for risk, and faith in our own resilience.

Hello, audiophiles!

This past week, I ended up at the dentist two days in a row. Before the hygienist started working on my teeth, I explained that I have anxiety around the dentist and could I PLEASE just listen to an audiobook while she worked? “Of course!” she said. Audiobooks save the day once again!

I still have to go back in a couple weeks, but until then, I’ll keep managing my anxiety with plenty of listening time while taking the Corgis to the dog park. Gwen has fully recovered from her spay, so she’s loving chasing her friends around the dog park. She especially loves it when the park is muddy. She comes home with her undercarriage matted with mud. But she’s had the time of her life and I guess that’s what is most important, right?

Recent Listens

I’ve been listening to a ridiculous number of audiobooks lately, so here are a few of my recent favorites.

Can’t Even by Anne Helen Petersen and Wintering by Katherine May

At the end of December, I started a medical leave after my podcast Reading Women ended our six year run. Almost immediately, my disabling chronic illness completely took over, and I’ve been trying to rest and recover ever since. Naturally, I began to read ALL of the things, including Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation by Anne Helen Petersen and Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May.

Can’t Even re-assured me that my experience was not unique. Even before the pandemic, millennials were beginning to burn out, our expectations of a star-studded future winking out in spectacular fashion. While Can’t Even gave me stats and all the practical reasons why people burn out, Wintering reminded me that taking time to rest and recover has always been a natural part of life. I write a little more about these books over on Winchester Ave.

Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

While I enjoy the occasional nonfiction book to give me a better perspective on my life, I found myself reaching for more genre fiction than I have in years. I might be VERY late to this party, but I LOVED Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby. The story grips you from the first few pages, and I found myself making up more chores for myself to do so I could keep listening. I ended up listening to the entire novel last Saturday and immediately picked up Cosby’s second novel Razorblade Tears (which Roxane Gay said was her favorite book of the year!).

Adam Lazarre-White performs both Blacktop Wasteland and Razorblade Tears, and he’s definitely become a new favorite. The South is such an important part of both stories, and Lazarre-White captures such a wide range of Southern dialects with his performance. I have already insisted that my spouse needs to listen to both of them ASAP. They are just THAT good.

Make sure to get your own Read Harder Book Journal from Book Riot to track your reading for the year!

Audiobook Apps I Can’t Live Without

Scribd

We’ve talked about library apps and audiobook subscriptions, but what if there was an app that was a little bit of both? Meet Scribd, a subscription service that gives you access to a library full of ebooks, articles, sheet music, documents, podcasts, and audiobooks. And at $9.99 a month, Scribd is an affordable option for folks without access to a public or school library to have access to a wide range of books.

I’ve subscribed to Scribd since 2017, and love that it gives me access to dozens of audiobooks. While I use the app just for its audiobook collection, many of my friends love reading Scribd’s ebooks on their tablets. If I can’t find the audiobooks I’m looking for on Overdrive or Hoopla, I always check Scribd next.

The app itself is full of great features. Scribd allows you to save your favorites, making it easy for you to come back and find them later.The player interface is easy to maneuver, and gives you percentage finished updates as you listen or read through your books.

But while Scribd has an incredible selection of audiobooks, there is a layer of mystery around what books are available when. Sometimes when I log in, I notice that some books aren’t available until my subscription renews. I can only assume this has to do with rights issues, but no matter how much I experiment, I can’t figure out exactly what is going on with that (I’m happy to listen to any little birdies that might have more info).

What do you think of Scribd? Does the frustration of a rotating selection of audiobooks outweigh the low cost for you? Please share your thoughts with me at kendra.d.winchester@gmail.com.

Over on Book Riot

“Listening Pathways: Richard Armitage’s Audiobooks” – Rioter Carolina Ciucci shares some audiobooks performed by a legendary voice.

“9 Romance Audiobooks for Valentine’s Day” – I share some of the most delightful listens if you are looking for romance.

“The American Library Association Names the Best YA Audiobooks of 2022” – The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced its 2022 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adult Readers list.

Don’t forget to check out our new line of bookish, Wordle-inspired merch! There are mugs, t-shirts, hoodies, and more. The campaign is temporary, so order yours now!

Around the Web

“Quiz: Black History Month Audiobook Picks with Marcus Books” (Libro.fm)

“Editor’s Select: February” (Audible) – Audible editors choose their favorite titles of the month. They even write little shelf talkers to go with each pick!

“AI Influence on Audiobooks Grows—As Does Controversy” (Publisher’s Weekly) – Another update about potential AI narrators for audiobooks

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

That’s it for this week! You can find me over on my substack Winchester Ave or over on Instagram @kdwinchester. As always, feel free to drop me a line at kendra.d.winchester@gmail.com. For even MORE audiobook content, you can find my articles over on Book Riot.

Happy listening, bookish friends!

~ Kendra

Audiobooks

A Listen That Took Me By Surprise

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date February 2, 2022

Sponsored by the audiobook edition of THE CHRISTIE AFFAIR.

Nina de Gramont’s The Christie Affair, read by AudioFile Earphones Award-winner Lucy Scott, is a stunning audiobook that reimagines the eleven-day disappearance of Agatha Christie that captivated the world. The greatest mystery wasn’t Agatha Christie’s disappearance in those eleven infamous days, it’s what she discovered. London, 1925: Miss Nan O’Dea became Archie Christie’s mistress, luring him away from his devoted and well-known wife, Agatha Christie. The question is, why? Why destroy another woman’s marriage, why hatch a plot years in the making, and why murder? How was Nan O’Dea so intricately tied to those eleven mysterious days?

Hello Audiophiles! February is upon us, which means a whole new month for excellent audiobook releases. One of my goals for 2022 is to listen to as much of my backlist TBR as possible. My TBR shelf of physical books has spread into my library closet, so I hope this goal helps me whittle it down before it gets any more ridiculous than it already is.

This week, Gwen finally rejoined her friends at the dog park, running around in circles with the big dogs. At a whopping 20 lbs, she feels she fits right in. Dylan, however, ignored everyone else and just chased his ball, playing fetch over and over until I thought my arm would never be the same again. I’m not sure how I ended up with two Corgis with completely different personalities, but here we are.

But all this time at the dog park gives me an opportunity to listen to a ridiculous number of books. I listened to 19 books in January, which I definitely did NOT expect to happen. Between giant fantasy novels and some of the backlist literary fiction on my TBR, I never felt at a loss for something to listen to on any given day.

One of my favorite reads this month was actually a short story collection that I didn’t expect to completely fall in love with as much as I did.

Recent Listen

Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho

At the end of the month, my hold for Fiona and Jane hit my Overdrive app. I was like, sure, I’ll check it out. MY GOODNESS, I was not prepared for how much I would love this book. I enjoyed this book so much that I listened to the entire thing in one sitting.

This collection of linked short stories follows the friendship between two Taiwanese American women, Fiona and Jane. From the very start, we learn about their childhoods, Jane’s life with her parents and Fiona’s with her single mom. As their stories unfold, they come back together again and again, always at least partly in each other’s lives.

Jane’s stories, always told in first person, feature a queer woman coming into her own as she navigates adulthood without any real sense of direction. Fiona’s stories, always in third person, present her as a high achiever who always has a plan for everything, but no schedule or spreadsheet can shield her from heartbreak.

Each woman’s voice is distinct, easily discernible from the other, even with both perspectives being performed by the same narrator. I loved the intimate look at a female friendship as it shifts and changes over the decades.

Natalie Naudus performs the audiobook with her usual attention to detail, distinguishing between both Fiona and Jane’s characters with such ease.

Narrated by Natalie Naudus

Make sure to get your own Read Harder Book Journal from Book Riot to track your reading for the year!

Follow Up on Libro.fm

Thank you all for your feedback on Libro.fm. Many of you love Libro.fm as much as I do. I also want to add that Libro.fm has a listening challenge this year, which you can find over on their blog. And another great thing about Libro.fm: you can create your own playlists to share with others. I’ve used this feature several times—it makes it so easy to share audiobooks with your friends!

New Releases

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

I’m a huge Tahereh Mafi fan, so when I heard she had a new trilogy inspired by Persian mythology, I thought, where do I sign up? There’s a long-lost heir to a Jinn kingdom and a crown prince who never expected that his world was about to turn upside down. Ugh, yes, please.

Narrated by Kate Reading

The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk, Translated by Jennifer Croft

You have no idea how long I have been waiting for this book to be translated into English. Nobel winner Olga Tokarczuk finally has her magnum opus out here in the US. Set in the mid-18th century, The Books of Jacob follows a man who becomes a renowned religious leader.

Narrated by Allen Lewis Rickman and Gilli Messer

Mercy Street by Jennifer Haigh

Jennifer Haigh’s novel features Mercy Street, a clinic that focuses on women’s health, giving them second chances in a patriarchal society. But when forces beyond the clinic’s control try to close its doors, the women push back.

Narrated by Stacey Glemboski

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

This novel centers around two siblings’ inheritance: a recipe for a traditional Caribbean black cake. There’s secrets, hidden family drama, and a whole lot of heart.

Narrated by Lynnette R. Freeman and Simone Mcintyre

Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen

Jayne Allen is back with her sequel to her much-beloved Black Girls Must Die Exhausted. After being told she’d never have children, Tabitha Walker discovers she’s pregnant. Tabitha decides to have the baby, even if it means raising them on her own.

Narrated by Marcella Cox

Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

Alexandria Bellefleur is back with another novel in her Written in the Stars queer romance series. In this second chance romance, childhood loves Margot Cooper and Olivia Grant meet after years apart. When their spark reignites, they realize their love might just have a second chance.

Narrated by Lauren Sweet

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Over on Book Riot

“10 of the Best Audiobooks Narrated by JD Jackson” – I share some of my favorite audiobooks performed by one of the best audiobook narrators working today.

Around the Web

“Synthetic Voices Want to Take Over Audiobooks” (Wired) – Another piece about the possibility of software that creates audiobooks with technology, rather than actors’ performances.

“10 February Audiobook Picks from AudioFile’s Editors” (Audiofile Magazine) – I love seeing AudioFile’s picks every month!

Happy listening, bookish friends!

~ Kendra

Read Harder

Read Harder Task #23: Read a Book by a Disabled Author

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date February 2, 2022

Sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life.

Tell TBR about your reading likes AND dislikes and what you’re looking for, and sit back while your Bibliologist handpicks recommendations just for you. TBR offers plans to receive hardcover books in the mail or recommendations by email, so there’s an option for every budget. Give your Bibliologist feedback, update your requests to stay in line with your reading goals and expanding horizons, and basically have your own personal book concierge. TBR is also available as a gift! Just select the plan you want to give, and you can schedule the gift to be delivered any day you want! Visit mytbr.co to sign up today or to start your holiday shopping.

Contributor Editor Kendra here to talk to you about all things disability lit! The 23rd prompt on the Read Harder challenge is to read a book by a disabled author. While not all disabled, chronically ill, Deaf, and neurodivergent authors write about disability specifically, they do often include a discussion of disability in their work.

As a disabled person, I rarely see that part of myself in the books that I read. So a few years ago, I decided to begin looking for books by disabled authors so I could finally see myself in books. What I discovered was a treasure trove of incredible literature. From historical fiction to poetry to memoirs, disabled people write it all.

In a previous newsletter, I mentioned Disability Visibility edited by Alice Wong and Growing Up Disabled in Australia edited by Carly Findlay. Both of these anthologies feature a range of disabled authors who often have full-length books of their own, so I highly recommend going and checking out those titles as well.

Okay, get your TBRs ready! I have an incredible selection of books to tell you about. So what are we waiting for? Onto the books!

Make sure to get your own Read Harder Book Journal from Book Riot to track your reading for the year!

A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley

In her memoir, Ariel Henley describes her experience of growing up with Crouzon Syndrome, a genetic condition that caused the bones in her head to fuse prematurely. Henley describes how the only other person that truly understood her experience was her twin sister who also has the condition. A Face for Picasso challenges ideas of beauty, which is based around a non-disabled default. I love Henley’s work and can’t wait to see what she writes next!

The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love with Me by Keah Brown

Keah Brown hashtag #DisabledAndCute went viral, ushering in a slew of posts by disabled folks raising awareness that disabled people can be sexy too. All too often, non-disabled people infantilize disabled people, especially those with visible disabilities. But Brown is here to remind you that ideas like that need to stop in their tracks. Her memoir, The Pretty One, covers her experience of growing as a queer Black woman with cerebral palsey and how she came to love her body.

Golem Girl by Riva Lehrer

Born with spina bifida, Riva Lehrer grew up with a lot of internalized ableism. Doctors didn’t expect her to survive, but she did. She eventually comes across a group of artists who use their experiences as inspiration for their work. There, Leher learns to love her body, creating incredible art pieces in the process.

Haben: The Deafblind Woman Who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma

Deafblind Harvard Law grad breaks all the stereotypes the world throws at her. The daughter of Eritrean immigrants, Girma started life learning to adapt to new situations, which proved a useful skill throughout her life. While studying at university, she invented a piece of tech that helps her communicate with the sighted and hearing people around her.

White Magic by Elissa Washuta

Cowlitz author Elissa Washuta proves herself queen of the essay with White Magic. This collection of essays takes a look at a wide range of topics, including alcoholism, breakups, the occult, colonialism, and the Washuta’s love for the Oregon Trail computer game. Washuta lives with an autoimmune condition called Sjögren’s Syndrome and much of her writing discusses learning to care for one’s body in a nondisabled society.

A Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzie Lee

I’ve loved reading the Montague Siblings trilogy, but the latest book, A Nobleman’s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks might be my favorite. Adrian Montague had no idea that he had two older—very much disinherited—siblings, but once he learns they exist, he knows he MUST get to know them. Adrian has severe anxiety and OCD, but in the 1700s, they don’t have words for that, or at least nothing that Adrian finds helpful.

Black Under by Ahsanti Anderson

Disabled queer Black author Ashanti Anderson won the Black River Chapbook Competition for Black Under. Her writing covers topics around her own identity, examining the intersections of her identity from every angle. She uses such precision in her poetry, and I found myself reading and rereading sections over and over again.

The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers: And Other Gruesome Tales by Jen Campbell

In her latest book, Jen Campbell retells fairytales from around the world. From a sinister merman to a family of skeletons, these stories possess a delightfully creepy feel. With spooky illustrations from Adam de Souza, this collection of scary stories is the perfect pick for a dark and windy night.

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Those are just a few of the amazing books by disabled authors that would be perfect for Read Harder prompt #23.

I hope you love these books as much as I did! That’s it for now, but we’ll be back with more recommendations for the 2022 Read Harder challenge. In the meantime, happy reading!

~ Kendra

Click here for the full Read Harder 2022 task list, and for previous recommendations, click here.

Audiobooks

Love Audiobooks AND Indie Bookstores? Try Libro.fm!

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date January 26, 2022

Recent Listen

The New York Times Book Review: 125 Years of Literary History edited by Tina Jordan with Noor Qasim

When this book first arrived on my doorstep, I literally jumped around my kitchen. I LOVE nerdy bookish facts, and this book is full of fascinating tidbits from the history of The New York Times Book Review. But then I had to pause: did a gorgeous coffee table-like book like this have an audiobook?

The answer is a resounding YES! Now, the pages are full of sidebars, headers, and illustrations, which could make for a very confusing listening experience. But the producers cleverly hired a range of different narrators to perform the various parts of the book. A single narrator reads the headers and intros to the different sections, giving the audiobook a singular voice that provides structure for the audiobook. Then the different narrators perform the essays and sidebars, signaling to the listener when one essay is ending and another is beginning.

With this clever structure, I could easily follow the different excerpts of past reviews of some of English Literature’s most well-known titles, like Anne of Green Gables, Mrs Dalloway, Native Son and Beloved. There are also sections about what The NYT Book Review got wrong and op-eds full to the brim with personality.

So much thought and effort went into producing this audiobook, which just ten years ago may not have gotten an audio edition at all. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy listening to The New York Times Book Review: 125 Years of Literary History, I was reminded how far audiobooks and accessibility have come in just the last decade.

Narrated by Robert Petkoff, Tina Jordan, Gary Shteyngart, Jodi Picoult, Sloane Crosley, Jenna Wortham, Tayari Jones, Roxane Gay, Sarah Weinman, Jericho Brown, Dominic Hoffman, and more

Make sure to get your own Read Harder Book Journal from Book Riot to track your reading for the year!

Another Audiobook App I Can’t Live Without

Libro.fm

For our next audiobook app, let’s talk about Libro.fm. For a long time, audiobook lovers didn’t have many alternatives to Audible, which is owned by Amazon. Libro.fm fills that gap, PLUS they give part of their profits from your purchases to the indie bookstore of your choice. This way, you can give back to your favorite indies.

Since it first launched, their app has come a long way. It’s now easier to use, including being able to use your credits directly in the app. The explore page includes dozens of lists full of great audiobook recommendations. But my favorite update has to be the app’s new dark mode!

More so than any other audiobook subscription I’ve seen, Libro.fm engages with bookish media and influencers, often inviting members of the community to write blog posts of recommended titles for them. They also create special features throughout the year to highlight bookstores owned by members of different marginalized communities.

I also appreciate their transparency in working to make the app more accessible for disabled folks. For us, audiobooks are not just a life hack or luxury—they’re an accessibility tool. I haven’t seen similar statements regarding disability from any other audiobook apps, but if you’ve seen one, please feel free to share it with me!

So far, the only downside of Libro.fm is that they only have one subscription option. I go through A LOT of audiobooks, so one audiobook credit a month isn’t enough to keep up with how fast I listen to titles. While you can gift yourself a subscription or buy audiobooks at a reduced rate, I would love to see subscription options for more credits per month or extra credits.

As Libro.fm has improved their app and general customer experience, they’ve become more than just the #1 alternative option to Audible. They’ve become a great audiobook service in their own right, and I can’t wait to see what they roll out next.

Over on Book Riot

“9 Audiobooks for #JapanJanuary” – I share some audiobooks in translation for your #JanuaryJapan TBRs!

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Around the Web

Audible’s Page Featuring Books by Disabled People – I’ve noticed that Audible has begun to expand their playlist and recommended reading options.

“SYNC Returns in 2022 Bigger and Better than Ever” (Audiofile Magazine)

“10 Great Audiobooks to Listen to This Month” (Vulture)

That’s it for this week! Feel free to drop me a line at kendra.d.winchester@gmail.com or say hi over on Instagram @kdwinchester. For even MORE audiobook content, you can find my articles over on Book Riot.

Happy listening, bookish friends!

~ Kendra

Audiobooks

Some Winter Listens to Cozy Up with This Weekend

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date January 19, 2022

Audiobook Apps I Can’t Live Without

Audible Follow Up

Thank you all for your wonderful email about your experiences with Audible! So many of you mentioned that you too have disabilities of varying kinds that make Audible an incredible tool for you that helps you access more books. Someone mentioned how you can switch back and forth between your Kindle and Audible—I love that feature too! I’ve also recently discovered that I can get Alexa to play my Audible audiobooks, so I can have them play throughout the whole house.

Of course, there are some downsides to using an Amazon company, so next week, we’ll be focusing on an app that is a great alternative to Audible. In the meantime, you can reach me at the email in my signature if you have anything else to add!

Recent Listen

Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge

From the first scene, I found myself drawn into Greenidge’s version of Brooklyn right before and after the Civil War. Libertie is the daughter of a single mom who is the doctor for their small town. Libertie’s mom pushes for her daughter to be the best, encouraging her to work hard at learning her trade. Eventually, Libertie goes to college to learn how to follow in her mother’s footsteps, but she’s not sure she actually wants to be a doctor.

For me, the mother/daughter relationship in this book shines off the page. You can see their deep love for one another, the push and pull that comes from the growing pains of an adolescent girl coming into her own. The world Greenidge builds around them acts as a vibrant backdrop to their story.

I didn’t know where this novel was headed, but the characters and the world the author created kept me listening. Channie Waites performs the story with this incredible ear for dialogue. Each character came alive in different ways that drew me even farther into the story. After I finished Libertie I had to look up more of Waites work—she’s just that brilliant of a narrator!

Narrated by Channie Waites

Make sure to get your own Read Harder Book Journal from Book Riot to track your reading for the year!

New Releases

Admissions: A Memoir of Surviving Boarding School by Kendra James

Kendra James was the first African American legacy student at The Taft School. In Admissions, James looks back at her time at this elite prep school, examining the respectability politics, diversity recruitment, and the microaggressions she experienced as a Black student.

Narrated by Mela Lee (Seven Days in June by Tia Williams and The Wish by Nicholas Sparks)

How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu

After his daughter dies, a scientist travels to the arctic circle to continue her work studying a girl frozen in the ice who carries a virus that may threaten the rest of the world.

Narrated by Julia Whelan, Brian Nishii, Keisuke Hoashi, MacLeod Andrews, Jeanne Sakata, Greg Watanabe, Kurt Kanazawa, Matthew Bridges, Kotaro Watanabe, Brianna Ishibashi, Joe Knezevich, Micky Shiloah, Stephanie Komure, and Jason Culp

Anthem by Noah Hawley

In one of the buzziest thrillers of the season, Anthem throws us into a world where Simon is staying at the Float Anxiety Abatement Center in a suburb of Chicago. But soon he breaks out with an odd cast of characters to find a man known as the Wizard.

Narrated by Shiromi Arserio and Noah Hawley (The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri and Taken by Katerina Martinez)

Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang

Chemistry author Weike Wang is back with her sophomore novel Joan Is Okay. Joan is the daughter of Chinese immigrants and works as a doctor in New York City. After a family tragedy, her mom tries to reconnect with her children, but Joan isn’t quite sure she’s ready for that yet.

Narrated by Catherine Ho

Manifesto: On Never Giving Up by Bernardine Evaristo

Bernadine Evaristo’s Girl, Woman, Other, launched her into literary stardom. Now back with her first book since her Man Booker-winning novel, Evaristo shares her life’s story in Manifesto. Narrated by the author, this is sure to be an audiobook you won’t want to miss.

Narrated by Bernardine Evaristo

Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Dahlia Woodson starts off a cooking competition with a complete disaster. But when her competitor, London Parker, takes notice, sparks begin to fly between them. Will being competitors ruin their chance at a happily ever after?

Narrated by Lindsey Dorcus (The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder and A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee)

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Around the Web

“For Travel or Hibernation: New Audiobooks to Uplift, Soothe or Terrify” (The New York Times)

“Libro.fm’s 2022 Listening Challenge” (Libro.fm)

“Listening Ahead: Toasting the First Lines of 2022” (Audiofile Magazine

“This Audiobook Was Narrated By No One” (Copyright Clearance Center)

Over on Book Riot

“12 Queer YA Audiobooks to Listen to in the First half of 2022” by Sarah Nichols

“10 of Libro.fm’s Most Preordered Audiobooks of Winter 2022” by Kendra Winchester

Happy listening, bookish friends!

~ Kendra

Read Harder

Read Harder Task #12: Read an Entire Poetry Collection

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date January 18, 2022

Sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life.

Contributing Editor Kendra here to chat about poetry collections!

Whenever my book club reads a poetry collection, someone in the group expresses being self-conscious, that they’re not a “poetry person.” But one of the great things about poetry is that you don’t have to be a poetry person to read, enjoy, and appreciate great poetry. Of course, there’s a lot of options out there. So how does one even know where to start? Don’t worry—I’m here for you!

The 21st-century is a great time for poetry, with dozens of incredible collections coming out every year, including works from current poet laureate Joy Harjo and former Poet Laureate Tracey K. Smith. I love the Harjo collection American Sunrise and Smith’s Wade Into the Water. But beyond national poet laureates, there’s so many great poets to discover.

To help give you a headstart in your research, here are ten of some of the best poetry collections that I’ve come across in the last few years. There are award winners and debut poets alike, but whatever their experience, they are proving to be masters of their craft. So what are we waiting for? Let’s jump right in!

Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability edited by Jennifer Bartlett, Sheila Black, and Michael Northen

Beauty is a Verb features a range of disabled authors using poetry to write about their experience living in an able-bodied world. The editors of this anthology have ensured that the collection features writers with many different perspectives, giving the reader a well-rounded view of disability, beautifully expressed through each poem.

This Wound is a World by Billy-Ray Belcourt

Queer Indigenous poet Billy-Ray Belcourt writes these autobiographical poems in such a way that it’s like we get a glimpse into his mind as he ponders aspects of his life. From interracial love to the effects of living as an Indigenous person in the wake of colonization, Belcourt covers a range of topics in the collection.

Perfect Black by Crystal Wilkinson

Kentucky Poet Laureate Crystal Wilkinson published her first full-length poetry collection, Perfect Black, in 2021. Written from a semi-autobiographical perspective, these poems focus on Wilkinson’s experience growing up as a Black girl in Eastern Kentucky raised by the generation of women before her.

The Perseverance by Raymond Antrobus

Jamaican British poet Raymond Antrobus makes his American debut with The Perseverance, a collection that describes what it’s like to live in the gray spaces of the world. Many of the poems circle around the theme of grieving the loss of his father, feeling like he never could entirely understand him before he passed. Antrobus also writes about the d/Deaf experience based on his life living as a d/Deaf person in Britain.

English Lit by Bernard Clay

One of the most glorious hidden gems of 2021, English Lit is the first full-length collection from Affrilachian poet Bernard Clay. These poems center around themes of Clay’s experience growing up and living in Kentucky and being Black in Appalachia. Clay’s use of rhythm and precise word choice make these poems stand out in the reader’s mind.

The Twenty-Ninth Year by Hala Alyan

Palestinian American writer Hala Alyan might be more well known for her novels Salt Houses and The Arsonists’ City, but she’s also an accomplished poet. Her collection The Twenty-Ninth Year features memories from her life as she’s traveled in various places throughout the world. Each recollection stands out, each poem with its own place as we look through Alyan’s memories.

Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong

In some of the most gorgeous writing that I’ve read in the last several years, Night Sky with Exit Wounds examines how the body keeps the score of the myriad of traumas. Vuong informs his poetry with his experience as a queer Vietnamese refugee, returning to these parts of his identity again and again.

The Girl Aquarium by Jen Campbell

Disability advocate Jen Campbell released The Girl Aquarium a couple years ago, and I immediately fell in love with her work. She possesses the ability to perfectly capture the disabled queer experience that’s deeply relatable. But whether or not you personally connect with her work, each poem communicates an understanding of language and the depth just a few words can have on the reader.

Reparations Now! by Ashley M. Jones

The first Black and youngest poet laureate of Alabama, Ashley M. Jones possesses incredible talent. Her latest poetry collection, Reparations Now! is out from one of my favorite indie presses, Hub City Press. It makes an argument for reparations for Black descendants of enslaved people in the United States.The poem chronicles the violence inflicted on Black bodies, but also celebrates Black joy in the face of systemic racism.

Whereas by Layli Long Soldier

A finalist for the National Book Award, Whereas by Layli Long Soldier stands as one of my favorite collections that I’ve read in recent years. Long Soldier plays with form, the sound of language, and narrative elements in her poetry, illustrating an incredible range of skill.

I could go on, but this newsletter might become twice as long! But I think these fabulous poetry collections will give you some great options as you look for the perfect book for you to read for this Read Harder task.

We’ll be back soon with even more recommendations for another of the 2022 Read Harder prompts. But until then, happy reading!

~ Kendra

Click here for the full Read Harder 2022 task list, and for previous recommendations, click here.

Audiobooks

Another Audiobook App I Can’t Live Without

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date January 12, 2022

Audiobook Apps I Can’t Live Without

Audible

I still remember when a family friend told me about the magical place called Audible. As a tween, I desperately loved audiobooks as they gave me a chance to read books I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise. From an early age, I have had chronic daily headaches and migraines, so for most of my life, audiobooks have been the primary way that I experience literature. Audible gave me a chance to listen to books my library didn’t have.

Back 20 years ago, you could download and burn CDs of the audiobooks, making them wonderfully sharable. I became a master at burning CDs (what teen wasn’t back then?) and even created my own cover art for the audiobook cases.

Now, Audible is part of Amazon but still dominates the digital audiobook market. I have deeply mixed feelings about my Audible subscription, but the fact remains that as a disabled person, I would not be able to read certain books without them.

That aside, let’s talk about their Audible app. Along with the standard features of changing the play speed, using your audiobook credit in-app, and easy-to-use interface, Audible possesses a gamification feature that makes me very happy. You can earn achievements by listening at night, dabbling in a bunch of audiobooks, or marathoning through hours of content. Personally, I wish all of my audiobook apps had this feature.

This year, Audible took a page out of Spotify’s book and sent me an email listing all of my audiobook stats on their app. Keeping in mind that Audible is just one of my dozen audiobook apps, I couldn’t help but marvel at the ridiculous amount of time that I spent in Audible during 2021.

Do you have any stats you’d like to share? Does anyone else have some early Audible memories? Feel free to share them with me via the email in my sign off!

New Releases

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

This new fantasy novel has received so much buzz—and for good reason! It focuses on Xingyin, who lives on the moon with her mother, the moon goddess. But when some secrets about her mother are revealed, Xingyin’s very existence is turned upside down.

Performed by Natalie Naudus (Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Cho and She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan)

I Came All This Way to Meet You by Jami Attenberg

Novelist Jami Attenberg is here with her first memoir, I Came All the Way to Meet You. Told in a stream-of-consciousness-like style, Attenberg presents her story in such a beautiful way that will capture your attention from the first few pages.

Narrated by Xe Sands (Wanderers by Chuck Wendig and Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey)

None But the Righteous by Chantal James

Ham wears a pendant of St. Martin de Porres, a Peruvian Saint from the 17th century. He carries the talisman from place to place as he moves from home to home. Finally, he decides to head back home to New Orleans to find the woman who gave him the pendant in the first place.

Narrated by William DeMeritt (The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris and Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli)

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

The author of the award-winning A Little Life is back with another epic novel, To Paradise. Told in three sections, this novel examines how history shapes the lives of the people living it. Characters’ names repeat as we follow the narrative threads through three different versions of our world.

Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, Catherine Ho, BD Wong, Feodor Chin, Kurt Kanazawa

Wahala by Nikki May

Ronke, Simi, and Boo are three Nigerian friends who are just trying to figure things out for themselves. This novel centering on female friendship will have you sitting on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Narrated by Natalie Simpson (Where the Truth Lies by Anna Bailey and Les Misérables by Victor Hugo)

Northwind by Gary Paulsen

Orphaned and left to fend for himself, Lief takes to the water in his canoe, surviving as best he can. Master of survivalist storytelling Gary Paulsen presents Lief’s story in a new and vibrant way. Fans of Paulsen’s previous work will not be disappointed.

Narrated by JD Jackson (Hell of a Book by Jason Mott and The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead)

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Over on Book Riot

“Which Audiobook Should Kick Off Your Reading Year?”

Around the Web

“3 Questions for OverDrive’s Steven Rosato on Audiobooks in Academic Libraries” (Inside Higher Ed)

“2021 Book Trends Show The Power Of BookTok And Rise Of Audiobooks” (Forbes)

Happy listening, bookish friends!

~ Kendra

Read Harder

Read Harder Task #5: Read an Anthology Featuring Diverse Voices

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date January 7, 2022

Sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life.

Contributing Editor Kendra here! Today we’re chatting about the 2022 Read Harder Challenge, task #5: read an an anthology featuring diverse voices.

When I heard that anthologies by diverse voices was going to be one of the 2022 Read Harder prompts, I couldn’t have been more excited. I LOVE anthologies! They are the buffets of the literary world. You get to try a little bit of everything, and if you discover something you really like, you can go back for more. It’s really the best of all worlds.

I remember when I first read LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia. My favorite story in the collection was by a writer named Silas House. When I looked him up, I realized he had an incredible backlist, all of which I read in quick succession. Let me tell you, that was an incredible reading year.

Anthologies typically center around a particular theme, idea, genre, or really anything that brings all of the authors together. Now maybe you are new to the wonderful world of anthologies—not to worry! I have plenty of titles from a wide range of nonfiction and fiction genres. Plus, there’s books for both kids and adults, so if you’re doing the Read Harder challenge with a kid in your life, there’s something for them too.

So settle in and get your TBR ready—onto the books!

A Measure of Belonging: Twenty-One Writers of Color on the New American South edited by Cinelle Barnes

Out from one of my favorite indie presses, Hub City Press, A Measure of Belonging features essays from authors of color from across the Southern United States. Each contributor gives their perspective on what it’s been like living in or being in the South.

Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century edited by Alice Wong

As a disabled person, I rarely see that part of myself in a book, so I couldn’t have been more excited for Alice Wong’s anthology, Disability Visibility. Each contributor adds their own perspective on what it’s like to live as a disabled person in an ableist society. There are stories of both struggle and joy, truly capturing an incredible range of experiences.

Growing Up Disabled in Australia edited by Carly Findlay

Australian disability rights advocate, Carly Findlay, gathered together disabled writers from across Australia, each with their own unique perspective on what it’s like growing up disabled. Writers with a range of disabilities write about everything from autistic representation in theater to competing in paralympic events.

It’s Not About the Burqa: Muslim Women on Faith, Feminism, Sexuality and Race edited by Mariam Khan

This incredible collection features Muslim women from around the world, each with their own unique relationship with their faith. The selections cover topics like marriage, modesty, careers, sexuality, and women’s rights. I love the different styles of writing throughout the book, each unique piece combining with the others to create a chorus of these women’s stories.

LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia edited by Jeff Mann and Julia Watts

Unfortunately, stories of queer Appalachian people are all too often few and far between. But Jeff Mann and Julia Watts have put together this anthology to do their part to help fix that. LGBTQ Fiction and Poetry from Appalachia features queer writers from across the region, highlitghing the incredible talent in these mountains.

Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith

This anthology features stories from different Native Nations, each based in their own unique history and culture. The stories center around an intertribal Powwow in Ann Arbor Michigan, working together to weave a larger picture as you read through each selection. Perfect for kids of any age, these selections often center around themes of heritage, family and community.

Once Upon an Eid: Stories of Hope and Joy by 15 Muslim Voices edited by S.K. Ali and Aisha Saeed

This delightful collection of short stories for kids features 15 different Eid celebrations. Muslim children from around the world come together to celebrate the holiday with their own traditions—and learn to create new ones!

Black Futures edited by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham

First off, this book is STUNNING. With it’s beautiful design and full-color photos throughout, Black Futures draws the eye. And once you open the cover, you find a celebration of Black lives, featuring contributors from a range of artistic backgrounds and experiences.

Anthologies invite readers in to experience new kinds of stories and to find new-to-them authors. That’s what makes them so great! Whether you choose a book from this list or discover one on your own, you are in for a treat.

That’s it for now, but we will be back with even MORE Read Harder recommendations. Until then, happy reading!

~ Kendra

Click here for the full Read Harder 2022 task list, and for previous recommendations, click here.

Audiobooks

New Year, New Audiobooks!

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date January 5, 2022

Sponsored by the audiobook edition of Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez, read by Almarie Guerra, Inés del Castillo, and Armando Riesco.

A blazing new talent debuts with the story of Olga, a status-driven wedding planner grappling with her absent mother, her glittering career among New York’s elite, and her Puerto Rican roots. Set against the backdrop of New York City in the months surrounding the most devastating hurricane in Puerto Rico’s history, Olga Dies Dreaming is an audiobook that examines political corruption, familial strife, and the very notion of the American dream – all while asking what it really means to weather a storm.

Hello Audiophiles! Welcome to 2022!

Ah, yes, the new year, when book lovers pull out their reading journals, Goodreads, or StoryGraph and set new reading goals for the year. For me, I want to listen to more audiobooks by disabled authors, so I’ll be tracking that on my handy-dandy spreadsheet. Do you have any listening goals for 2022?

The Corgis have set ambitious goals to eat more snacks and shred more toys than ever before. Of course, I support their dreams, so I’ll be cleaning up their disemboweled stuffies for the foreseeable future. I’ve also set Dylan some goals on his FitBark (FitBit, but for dogs), which he severely disapproves of, bless his heart.

I recently decided to upgrade my library with three more bookshelves and have spent several days shuffling books around. Naturally, the Corgis wanted to be involved, which ended in Dylan stealing several of Gwen’s toys while she tore through a very hard-to-find novel, ripping open its spine. I would insert a photo here, but, honestly, it’s hard to look at. So here’s a photo of Dylan and one of his stolen prizes instead.

Recent Listen

Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

Before the break, I mentioned I was reading Cloud Cuckoo Land, so here’s an update! The novel features several storylines of different characters across time. They each are connected by a manuscript, which is the story about a man turned into a donkey as he looks for a place called Cloud Cuckoo Land. Typically, I love watching several storylines come together, creating a complete picture at the end of the novel. But I have to admit, I felt the middle bogged down with a lot of extraneous details that could have been trimmed. Even as their stories echoed the story of Cloud Cuckoo Land included in the text, the characters’ experiences felt too drawn out.

After giving myself a break from the audiobook, I came back to it and enjoyed seeing the different characters’ stories connect. I ended up enjoying the book by the end, but overall, I think trimming it could have taken this audiobook from a good novel to a great one.

Marin Ireland performs the audiobook beautifully, and even when I was wanting the story to move a little faster, it was never because of Ireland’s performance. She kept all of these characters straight in my mind, which is an incredible feat over 15 hours! Simon Jones narrates the Cloud Cuckoo Land segments that are placed between sections of the novel. Ever since I listened to the Bartimaeus Trilogy back when I was a kid, Simon Jones has been a favorite of mine, and I couldn’t have been more delighted to hear his voice again through my headphones.

New Releases

Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho

Jean Chen Ho starts the year out strong with Fiona and Jane, a linked short story collection that follows the friendship of two Taiwanese American women. All-star narrator Natalie Naudus performs the audiobook.

Narrated by Natalie Naudus

No Land to Light On by Yara Zgheib

As they wait for the arrival of their son, Hadi and Sama are devastated to learn that Hadi’s father suddenly dies. On his way back for the funeral, Hadi is detained and questioned at the border. Will Sama ever see her baby’s father come home?

Narrated by Fajer Al-Kaisi, Ali Andre Ali, and Suehyla El-Attar

Bibliolepsy by Gina Apostol

Powerhouse Gina Apostol is back with another novel, Bibliolepsy, which won the Philippine National Book Award. The publisher describes it as “a love letter to the written word and a brilliantly unorthodox look at the rebellion that brought down a dictatorship.” Yes, please—where do I sign up?!

Narrated by Rachel Coates

Velorio by Xavier Navarro Aquino

Camila’s sister is killed by a hurricane, and Camila carries her to Memoria, an organization that claims to be a utopia. But of course, there’s more going on with Memoria than what appears on the surface.

Narrated by Diana Pou, Vico Ortiz, María Victoria Martínez, Gil René Rodríguez, Jesús E. Martínez, Gabriel S. Rivera Vázquez, and Yetta Gottesman

The Chosen One: A First-Generation Ivy League Odyssey by Echo Brown

The author of Black Girl Unlimited returns with another young adult memoir, this time focusing on her experience being a first-generation Ivy league student. Dartmouth claims to be an inclusive, open-minded place, but Echo finds her reality very different than what she was told it would be.

Narrated by Echo Brown and Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Don’t forget you can get three free audiobooks at Audiobooks.com with a free trial!

Over on Book Riot

“The Value of Listening to Poetry on Audio” – Rioter Neha Patel describes how she discovered that she loves listening to poetry on audio.

“The Best Audio Adaptations of A Christmas Carol” – Annika Barranti Klein gives us this incredible gift of listing all of the different versions of A Christmas Carol, including performances by Sir Patrick Stuart, Jim Dale, and Tim Curry.

Around the Web

“2021 Book Trends Show The Power Of BookTok And Rise Of Audiobooks” (Forbes)

“Audio Book Market is Expected to Reach USD 19.39 Billion By 2027” (Digital Journal)

“Chernin Entertainment Acquires The Rights To Erik Larson’s Audiobook ‘No One Goes Alone’” (Deadline)

Happy listening, bookish friends!

~ Kendra

Read Harder

Read Harder Task #3: Read Any Book from the Women’s Prize Shortlist/Longlist/Winner List

Post author By Kendra Winchester
Post date January 5, 2022

Sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life.

Hello there, Read Harder friends! Kendra here to chat with you about the prompt “Read Any Book for the Women’s Prize for Fiction.” I love this prompt because it draws attention to a prize that I’ve enjoyed following over the years. They always feature a wide range of books, so there’s something for everyone.

The origins of the prize began in 1991 when a group of women saw that The Booker Prize shortlist included no books by women and decided to create a prize that celebrates women’s writing. They awarded the first Women’s Prize in 1996 to Helen Dunmore for her novel A Spell of Winter.

Since then, they’ve been uplifting women’s literary work with their yearly fiction award and their writer development program, Discoveries. They even have a podcast and create videos to accompany their award announcements. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Women’s Prize’s website for more info and the complete lists of titles nominated for the award throughout its history.

Over the years, the Women’s Prize has nominated dozens and dozens of excellent novels, but I want to share some of my favorite winners with you today!

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (2021)

Piranesi lives in a magical house, more of a labyrinth, that contains an endless number of rooms. As he explores the house, Piranesi begins talking with a man he calls The Other, who keeps pestering him for more information about something The Other calls The Secret Knowledge. Piranesi doesn’t see anyone else as he wanders around the different rooms, but he begins to suspect there’s a third person somewhere in the house.

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (2020)

Agnes lives in a small English village in the late 1580s. Her husband, a playwright, spends much of his time in London putting on his plays. Her husband’s career begins taking off when their young son, Hamnet, is struck ill by the plague. While many readers may be more familiar with her husband’s story, Agnes’s own life proves just as compelling.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones (2019)

Celeste and Roy spend a night in a hotel to celebrate their one-year wedding anniversary when Roy is arrested and accused of sexually assaulting a woman in the building. When he’s sent to prison, Roy and Celeste try to keep their marriage together through letters and visits, but will they be able to keep making their marriage work in the face of such odds?

Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (2018)

This retelling of Antigone (one of my favorite Greek tragedies) gives the story a whole new feel. Isma finally feels like she can pursue her own dreams in America after looking after her two younger siblings for so long. But when her sister Aneeka calls with the news that their brother has joined an extremist group, Isma must choose whether she goes home to keep delaying her plans for her life or to leave her siblings and follow her dreams.

The Glorious Heresies by Lisa McInerney (2016)

Lisa McInerney, one of Ireland’s most talented contemporary writers, won the Women’s Prize back in 2016 for The Glorious Heresies. The novel begins when an older woman hits an intruder over the head, killing him. This single event brings together characters across a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. And if you like The Glorious Heresies, there are two more books in the trilogy that are already out and ready for you to read!

How to Be Both by Ali Smith (2015)

In this glorious novel, we meet a young girl who keeps getting glimpses of a renaissance painter in her dreams. In another time, a young artist aspires for renown and acclaim. Smith’s prose, as always, flows across the page, drawing the reader in with every word. Some of the editions of the book have the artist’s story first, while other editions position the girl’s story first. These different editions create two unique reading experiences.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (2012)

Before its TikTok fame, The Song of Achilles, won the Women’s Prize for Fiction. In this retelling of the story of Achilles and Patroclus, we experience their relationship from youth to adulthood. As Patroclus narrates their story, it’s difficult not to become more and more attached to the characters as they fall more and more in love with one another.

Home by Marilynne Robinson (2009)

I adored Robinson’s novel Gilead, so when I picked up Home, I knew I was in for a treat. But I possessed no real understanding of what I was about to read. Home features Jack, the wayward son of a Methodist minister. Robinson’s characters shine, captivating readers on every page.

On Beauty by Zadie Smith (2006)

Zadie Smith’s debut White Teeth launched her career as a major talent, and On Beauty solidified her place as a literary star. On Beauty follows an interracial family in Massachusetts. The novel paints a complex reality for the family, each character possessing their own dreams for their future that often conflict with their family members’ ideas of what the family should be.

Small Island by Andrea Levy (2004)

Small Island follows a group of characters whose lives weave together and intersect. Hortense Joseph and her husband Gilbert try to make a life together after WWII, but the systemic racism of Britain essentially makes them second-class citizens.

That’s it for today! I hope you find some wonderful options for prompt 3. We’ll be back soon with recommendations for another Read Harder prompt. But until then, happy reading!

– Kendra

Click here for the full Read Harder 2022 task list, and for previous recommendations, click here.