Summer's almost here—time to start making your summer listening list! A memoir for the backyard, a novel for the beach, a science title to help you look at the world in a new and different way . . . these are some of the audiobooks we’re excited about at this start of the summer season.
COUNTERFEIT
by Kirstin Chen, read by Catherine Ho
Harper Audio
Release date: June 7
Multiple Earphones Award-winner Catherine Ho narrates this novel in which two women get involved in a counterfeit handbag scheme.
WOMAN OF LIGHT
by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, read by Melinna Bobadilla
Random House Audio
Release date: June 7
In 1930s Denver, an Indigenous Chicano woman has visions of her ancestors, and her ancestral homeland. We awarded Earphones to Fajardo-Anstine’s previous audiobook, SABRINA & CORINA.
ALICE AUSTEN LIVED HERE
by Alex Gino, read by the author
Scholastic Audiobooks, Ages 10+
Release date: June 7
Nonbinary kids Sam and TJ explore a rich queer history that they haven’t been taught about in school.
A PORTRAIT OF THE SCIENTIST AS A YOUNG WOMAN
by Lindy Elkins-Tantan, read by Lisa Flanagan
Harper Audio
Release date: June 7
A memoir from a NASA scientist that plumbs the depths of outer space—and of her own childhood experiences.
A MIRROR MENDED
by Alix E. Harrow, read by Amy Landon
Macmillan Audio
Release date: June 14
Harrow offers a fractured fairytale retelling featuring Sleeping Beauty and Snow White’s Evil Queen.
HORSE
by Geraldine Brooks, read by James Fouhey, Lisa Flanagan, Graham Halstead, Katherine Littrell, Michael Obiora
Penguin Audio
Release date: June 14
Brooks crafts a story of American history, inspired by the racehorse Lexington and delivered by an ensemble of five narrators.
HOW TO RAISE AN ANTIRACIST
by Ibram X Kendi, read by the author
Random House Audio
Release date: June 14
Inspired by his own experiences as a parent, Kendi puts his antiracism teachings to work for parents, caregivers, and educators.
VACATIONLAND
by Meg Mitchell Moore, read by Stacey Glemboski
Harper Audio
Release date: June 14
This could be it—your first beach listen of the summer. And if you’re lucky enough to spend that vacation in Maine, where this novel is set, so much the better.
A WAY OUT OF NO WAY: A Memoir of Truth, Transformation, and the New American Story
by Raphael G. Warnock, read by the author
Penguin Audio
Release date: June 14
The Georgia senator shares his life story and political vision.
LEARNING TO TALK: Stories
by Hilary Mantel, read by Anna Bentinck, Jane Collingwood, Patrick Moy
Macmillan Audio
Release date: June 21
From the author of the Wolf Hall Trilogy, a collection of autobiographical stories read by a trio of British narrators.
AN IMMENSE WORLD: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
by Ed Yong, read by the author
Random House Audio
Release date: June 21
You won’t look at the world the same way after hearing this latest from the science writer for The Atlantic and author of I CONTAIN MULTITUDES.
RADICAL LOVE: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others
by Zachary Levi, read by the author
Harper Horizon
Release date: June 28
The actor recounts his journey to recovery in this memoir.
