Written by Jessica Rinaudo, Brand & Communications Manager, Downtown Main Library
Looking for something to keep you engaged and entertained while you garden, commute, or take care of things around the house? We’ve got you covered with some audiobook recommendations available through Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library and Libby! All you need is your library card, access to a computer, or the Libby app on your smart device, or to stop by one of our 41 locations to check out audiobook CDs!
We broke it down by genre to help you choose the right listen for your summer.
Spooky Stories
If you’re ready for a scary tale, check out these books that are sure to leave you looking over your shoulder at night.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Told in various timelines through various mediums (think letters and historical recounting), The Buffalo Hunter Hunter shares the recollections of a Native Blackfeet man turned vampire and the toll it took on the Native communities, both in the past and now. With three narrators, it’s easy to differentiate the various points of view.
Invasive Species by Ellery Adams
If you like a little Desperate Housewives mixed in with your monster tales, then Invasive Species is the listen for you. The type of story that you’d tell around a campfire, get ready for missing children, a creepy neighbor who may or may not have tentacles, and small-town drama.
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Short and gory, Victorian Psycho is a perfect listen for classic and modern horror fans alike. At a five-hour runtime, it’s a quick listen, but doesn’t skimp on the scares. Expect bloodshed, creepy estates, spoiled children, and a vengeful governess.
Romantasy Lovers Rejoice!
Love your romance with a healthy dose of magic? We also love getting lost in these magical worlds. Here are some of our favorite listens.
Dire Bound by Sable Sorenson
If you loved Fourth Wing but prefer wolves to dragons (or will happily take any kind of training academy with bonded creatures), this is your book. Plus, it’s narrated in duet, which helps bring the story to life. Get ready to fall in love with Meryn Cooper.
Web of Vows and Vengeance by Aria Ashbrook
Don’t sleep on this romantasy! This author writing duo is new to this genre, but this audiobook knocks it out of the park. Even better, it’s narrated by Amanda Leigh Cobb (who narrated Sara J. Maas’s A Court of Wings and Ruin), and Anthony Palmini (who narrated Rhysand in the A Court of Thorns and Roses graphic audiobook).
The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
Did you love Outlander but wondered what it would be like if Jamie and Claire were wolf shifters? No? Well, I bet you do now. This first in a trilogy book is an addictive must-listen. And even better? The second book, The Night Prince, is also available. Jump into this Scottish-inspired story and enjoy the ride!
Ready for a HEA?
That’s a Happily Ever After for those not as obsessed with romance as we are. And June is the perfect season for romance. Here are a few books that will sweep you off your feet.
Bad Boy Era by Amy Daws
If you’re ready for a helping of laughter with your romance, look no further than Bad Boy Era. Listening to a perfectly narrated novel about an Irish rugby player who moves to a rescue farm in Colorado and battles with an alpaca was not on my reading bucket list, but I’m so glad Amy knows how to bring the surprises.
Bound by Ali Hazelwood
Released in audiobook only, this dark academia audiobook is like Indiana Jones meets A Discovery of Witches. And even though Ali Hazelwood is super popular, this one isn’t on shelves and hasn’t gotten nearly the love it deserves. Good thing we have it for you on Libby!
The Re-do List by Denise Williams
After a bad breakup, Willow wants a chance to re-do those important moments she shared with her ex. Enter her brother’s beset friend to help, and a fun listen for your next audiobook.
For Teens and Young Adults
While these picks are for our teens and young adults, we’re proud members of the Adults Read YA club, and these are at the top of our list.
House of the Beast by Michelle Wong
House of the Beast was my top read of last year. A quest with Avatar: the Last Airbender vibes and gorgeous imagery, this one should be at the top of your listening list.
Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson
Attack by possessed soldiers? A strong female main character? A Cincinnati author? Sign us up!
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
I think the book’s pitch sells it best: “Filled with mystery and an intriguingly rich magic system, Tracy Deonn's YA contemporary fantasy reinvents the King Arthur legend and braids together Southern folk traditions and Black Girl Magic into a searing modern tale of grief, power, and self-discovery." Bottom line: You need it in your ears.
Pride Picks!
June is Pride Month and the perfect time to share some of our favorite LGBTQIA+ listens.
Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch
A Prince of Christmas goes on an investigation to figure out who is stealing Christmas’s joy… and his only lead is a shamrock. Cue a meetup with the prince of St. Patrick’s Day and some PR stunts that have the two falling for each other.
Get Over It, April Evans by Ashley Herring Blake
Another great summer listen, this book matches up April and Daphne, competing artists forced to share a room, at a lake-town resort.
I Think They Love You by Julian Winters
Fake dating an ex to seal the deal on a CEO position turns into a second chance romance!
Jessica is currently reading "The Gate of the Feral Gods" by Matt Dinniman.
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