Welcome to the Summer Sprint! During this week we will be posting something everyday. If you want to check out last year’s posts see them here. We hope you enjoy these posts and that you are staying safe during these challenging times.
We did a post last summer which describes how to listen to audiobooks & some of our favorites. Check out that post here. Since then we have listened to A LOT of audiobooks, so here is our updated recommendations aka the audiobooks we have listened to recently and highly recommend.
Both of Us:
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: This full cast audiobook is amazing! The production quality is so good. We both listened to it super quickly and adored it. See Bree’s full review here.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston: We both have read the physical book and listened to the audiobook and the story is great either way. See Bree’s full review here. Tree does not have a full review, but gave it five stars and may have convinced her professor to pick it up so.
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson: This book is great on audio! The narrator truly captures the angsty teen girl voice and the MC’s bleak gallows humor. We both have dark senses of humor which is probably why we both enjoyed this one so much…
Dear Martin by Nic Stone: This is one of Tree’s all time favorite books and the audiobook was great. Tree recently reread via audio and ended up tearing up in her car at the end. It’s fine.
Bree:
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin: This fantasy romance (romantic fantasy?) is best experienced as an audiobook, really. Between the witch/witch hunter pairing and the marriage of convenience they stumble into, this book is rife with the best romantic tropes. Also, great characters and snarky banner.
The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black: Yes, I find a way to mention this series in almost every blog post I write, but it’s actually relevant this time. I’m currently on my 3rd listen of the audiobooks and I can definitely recommend them at this point. It might just be Holly Black’s writing, but the beautifully cruel world she creates comes across vividly at Caitlin Kelly’s masterful narration.
Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson: This series had me at the edge of my seat the entire time and I could not guess more than 10 pages ahead in the plot at any time. Teenage sleuth Stevie Bell is a girl with a goal, and wants nothing more than to solve the 100 year mystery of the Elllingham Academy kidnapping. I don’t know about you, but the narration adds an extra layer to the spooky mystery vibe.
In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware: I think I might just have a thing for listening to mysteries/thrillers, TBH. Maybe it’s more atmospheric that way? Anyways, this is actually an enjoyable thriller because it’s not just shock and suspense the whole way through. It has a plot underneath it all! A good one! No spoilers though, so go give it a listen.
A Crash of Fate by Zoraida Córdova: I have to say, whoever produces the Star Wars audiobooks is getting a big round of applause from me. Never have I had a more immersive experience than with this book! In addition to a decent narrator, they also scored the audiobook with full sound effects, background noise, and musical transitions. It’s ridiculous the amount of detail that was put in. My full review of this audiobook can be found here.
All the Bad Apples by Moïra Fowley-Doyle: Is my recommendation of this audiobook solely because the narrator’s thick Irish brogue is enchanting? No. Is it a major contributing factor? Clearly. But, the thread of history that Deena chases throughout the book is also disgustingly fascinating and I liked that her story ended up connecting to real life events in Ireland’s history.
Tree:
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds: SO I’m not going to lie I only listened to like half an hour of this book on audio because it was almost too much on audio. I will say it is worth keeping a copy of the physical book on hand while reading/listening because some of the poems in this novel are in unique formats. Either way – read this book!
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, & You by Jason Reynolds (& Ibram X. Kendi): I keep mentioning this book, but dang it’s so well done. In about four hours I learned more about racism than I did in my entire K-12 eduction in public school. Jason Reynold’s voice truly adds a layer of nuance to the story. Plus, they add in music and some sound effects which are always fun.
My Lady Jane by the Lady Janies: The humor of this novel truly comes out in the audiobook. Tree has read this one a few times and a reread via audio was so much fun. However, the physical book is great too.
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett: I will admit this book will not be for everyone and I am not even sure if I liked it that much, but the audiobook is very well done. The narrator does an excellent job and I think adds to the story. I had to finish this quickly so I read the last 100 pages from the physical book, but I liked the audio better…I will say if you do read this one, PLEASE read the author’s acknowledgements. Reading them changed how I thought about the themes and the message of this book.
Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullogh: Bree loved this one (full review here) and Tree finally picked it up to read for her YA fiction class for her spring semester.
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo: Typically Acevedo narrates her audiobooks herself, but since their are two POVs in this novel she only narrates one character. But, it is still an amazing read. If you are not reading Elizabeth Acevedo’s stunning prose and poetry you are seriously missing out. We both would love to see her preform some of her work live!
Thanks for reading!
xoxo, Bree & Tree
Words About Words 