9 Great Audiobooks to Add to your Summer Reading List!
T'is the season to put away the brolly! Our Publisher Relations Manager, Amy Flinders, gives us a breakdown of some of the new summer titles we've added to the catalogue!
The summer is finally upon us! It's time to slather on the sunscreen and settle down for some serious summer listening. Whether you're jetting off to an exotic island, or making the most of the British summertime, we've got some fabulous new audiobooks to see you through to the end of the season.
We've added loads of new titles to both our online and CD catalogues over the past few weeks, but here are some highlights to get you started:
1. He Said/She Said - Erin Kelly
Set over fifteen years, He Said/She Said begins in 1999 at a Cornish festival. Laura and her boyfriend, Kit, have travelled to see a total eclipse. In the quiet, shadowy moments following the event, Laura witnesses a sinister altercation between a man and a woman. She reports it to the police, and at first the victim appears grateful. But when they turn up on Laura's doorstep a month later, Laura begins to wonder if she trusted the wrong person.
He Said/She Said is a captivating thriller which was a Sunday Times bookseller, and a Radio 2 Book Club pick. It's also been picked for the Richard and Judy book club this summer!
He Said/She Said is available for members to borrow on CD or to Stream/Download
2. Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe - Debbie Johnson
Willow Longville works as a waitress at the Comfort Food Cafe, a ramshackle but welcoming cafe overlooking the beach on the Dorset coast. When a handsome stranger blows in on a warm spring breeze, Willow soon realises that her quiet country life will be changed forever.
This book has both 'sunshine' and 'comfort food' in the title, so we knew it had to go on the list of highlights! It's the perfect novel to listen to on holiday, or on a sunny afternoon in the garden!
Sunshine at the Comfort Food Cafe is available for members to borrow on CD or to Stream/Download
3. Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire - Akala
Part autobiography and part social commentary, Natives explores how race and class have shaped Akala's outlook. In this unique book he takes his own experiences and widens them out to look at the social, historical and political factors that have left us where we are today. The book covers everything from the police, education and identity, to politics, sexual objectification, and the far right.
This powerful account of contemporary Britain is a Sunday Times bestseller from the BAFTA and MOBO award-winning musician, poet, and political activist.
4. The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes - Ruth Hogan
This heartfelt story is about the once independent and rebellious Marsha. Her life was changed forever after a tragic accident that left her unable to move on from her grief. After meeting two extraordinary women - one of them being the mysterious, eponymous Sally Red Shoes - Marsha feels like she's been given an opportunity to get her life back. But, just as Marsha begins to imagine a future, the part comes hurtling back.
This is the second novel from Ruth Hogan. Her first book The Keeper of Lost Things was a Richard and Judy book club pick. You can also listen to Listening Books interview with Ruth Hogan here.
The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes is available for members to borrow on CD or to Stream/Download.
5. The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye - David Lagercrantz
Lisbeth Salander is serving two months in Flodberga women's prison. Mikael Blomkvist makes the long trip to visit her every week - and receives a lead to follow for his pains. For him, it looks to be an important expose for Millennium. For Salander, it could unlock the facts of her childhood. Even from a corrupt prison system run largely by the inmates, Salander will stand up for what she believes in, whatever the cost.
This is the fifth instalment of the Millennium series. The previous books, The Girl in the Spider's Web, is available here.
The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye is available for members to borrow on CD or to Stream/Download
6. Elmet - Fiona Mozley
Daniel is heading north. He is looking for someone. The simplicity of his early life with Daddy and Cathy has turned sour and fearful. When they were younger, Daniel and Cathy had gone to school. But they were not like the other children then, and they were even less like them now.
Elmet is the debut novel by Fiona Mozley. It is a distinctive lyrical commentary on family and society, and was shortlisted for the 2017 Man Booker prize.
Elmet is available for members to borrow on CD or to Stream/Download.
7. Auntie Poldi and the Fruits of the Lord - Mario Giordano
The Mafia have had Auntie Poldi in their sights since she solved Valentino's murder. What may seem a series of misfortunes - the water supply cut off, a poisoned dog - is clearly, to Poldi, an escalation. No one is above suspicion, and trouble will surely follow.
This is the second in the cosy crime Auntie Poldi series. If you want to catch up, the first book, Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions, is available to borrow here.
8. Horrible Histories: The Ancient Egyptians - Terry Deary
A recent addition to our Sound Learning library, this hilarious Horrible Histories was recorded and produced in our in-house studios at Listening Books. Listen to this book to meet some fabulous pharaohs...and their mummies. Learn how to make revolting recipes for 3000 year old sweets, discover which king had the most blackheads, and to find out why some pharaohs wore false bears!
Horrible Histories: Awesome Egyptians is available for members to borrow on CD or to Stream/Download
9. Almost Love - Louise O'Neill
Sarah is falling for Matthew. It doesn't matter that he's 20 years older. That he sees her only in secret. That, slowly but surely, she's sacrificing everything else in her life to be with him. But Sarah can't help it. She is addicted to being desired by Matthew. And love is supposed to hurt. Isn't it?
Almost Love is Louise O'Neill's latest novel. We've just added all three of Louise O'Neill's extraordinary young adult books to our online catalogue. Borrow all of them here.
Almost Love is available for members to Stream/Download
Are you planning on adding any of these listens to your summer audiobooks list? Let us know in the comments!
If you liked this post you may also like: Summer Listening Recommendations or Books to Remind You of the Best World Cup Moments!
This article was updated: 5th July 2021
