Calamity Club, written by Kathryn Stockett

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia and January Lavoy

Length: 28 hours 44 minutes

Many of you know Kathryn Stockett from her previous novel The Help. The Calamity Club is her newest and her longest. The print book is 638 pages, while the audiobook runs close to 30 hrs. Trust me, the story did not feel too long. The depression era plot tells the story of a cluster of female characters living in Oxford Mississippi. The two narrators do a fantastic job of voicing multiple characters. A few of the characters include Birdie, my favorite, Meg, the abandoned orphan and Charlie, Meg's mom. The plot includes a brothel and other assorted depression era defined vices. When you decide to give it a try, be sure and listen to the author's after-note.

- Kelly

Available on CloudLibrary and on Libby.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, written by Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Kristen Sieh

Length: 22 hours

When Maggie is transported into the dangerous world of her favorite fantasy series, she must use her detailed knowledge of its characters and events to survive. Although Maggie discovers that she cannot permanently die, the people she grows to care about can, forcing her to rely on her intelligence and resourcefulness as she attempts to change their fates.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. Maggie, our FMC, was relatable, clever, and thoughtful, and I especially appreciated that she wasn’t suddenly transformed into a highly skilled fighter or assassin. That trope can sometimes feel unrealistic, so it was refreshing to follow a protagonist who survived primarily by thinking through problems and using what she knew. This book was simply a lot of fun and kept me captivated from beginning to end. Quite possibly my favorite read this year. If you enjoy isekai or portal fantasy, give this one a try!

- Kirstyn

Available on Libby.

Yesteryear, written by Caro Claire Burke

Narrated by Rebecca Lowman

Length 13 hours 47 minutes

A social media influencer shares her perfectly pictured homesteading life with millions of online followers, touting traditional values and simplicity. That is until she wakes one morning stuck in the reality of the 1800s American frontier with a family she doesn’t recognize and without any modern conveniences to be found. This read held its suspense until just about the very end. I won’t lie; I definitely sped up the playback in the final stretch to find out what in the world was going on!

- Kristen

Available digitally on CloudLibrary and Libby
Audiobook CD
Playaway

The Tapestry of Fate. An Amina al-Sirafi Adventure, Book Two. Written by Shannon Chakraborty

Narrated by; Lameece Issaq, Amin El Gamal, and Sneha Mathan

Length: 20 hours

Amina al-Sirafi thinks she’s struck gold. Tasked with hunting down arcane artifacts for the council of immortal peris, she can savor the occasional rollicking adventure on the high seas with her cherished criminal companions while still returning home to raise her beloved daughter, Marjana. But when Raksh, the spirit of discord with whom she is reluctantly wed, provokes the council’s wrath, Amina is charged with a seemingly impossible quest: steal a spindle capable of rewriting fate from a mysterious sorceress on an island no one can escape.

I just finished listening to book 2 in this series, but I recommend starting with book 1. Both books have the same narrators which adds a wonderful continuity to the experience. The adventure will suck you in and keep you reading but the character development and the sense of being there with Amina al-Sirafi is really what I love about these books. Although both books are lengthy, it won't feel that way when you start listening!

- Katherine

Book #1: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
Available on Libby and CloudLibrary

Book #2: The Tapestry of Fate
Available on Libby and CloudLibrary

Behind Five Willows, written by June Hur

Narrated by Michelle H. Lee

Length: 9 hours

As a big fan of Pride and Prejudice, I've picked up a lot of books that are inspired by or readapt the original story. Behind Five Willows quickly jumped to the top of my Austen retelling favorites. It nails the dynamic between our two romantic leads without omitting the humorous and often times frustrating cast of side characters. This reimagining is set in 18th century Korea during the Joseon Dynasty's ban on fiction books. It was a fascinating time period to learn about, and it added higher stakes to a story that I was already familiar with.

- Jacqueline

Available on Libby