Tag: audiobooks

Neneh Cherry Takes Us on a Musical Journey Inspired by Her Memoir, ‘A Thousand Threads’

November 20, 2024

Neneh Cherry, a musical trailblazer for more than three decades, is full of stories. In her new memoir, A Thousand Threads, she pulls back the curtain on her extraordinary life, from her early childhood in Sweden to her mother’s marriage to jazz musician Don Cherry; from recording with punk group The Slits in London to her career as a solo artist.

To celebrate the audiobook release of A Thousands Threads, Neneh joined Spotify on Tuesday for a fireside chat at our London office hosted by presenter and author Annie Mac. The event was a rare opportunity for fans to hear from Neneh herself, alongside her daughter, singer-songwriter Mabel.

As guests arrived, they were treated to the beats of London-based DJ Sandra Omari. British Jamaican chef and artist Denai Moore provided a special menu of drinks and snacks inspired by Neneh’s iconic discography and the places woven through her memoir.

Cheers To 10 Years of Spotify in Canada

November 14, 2024

Since launching in Canada in 2014, Spotify has been the go-to audio platform for Canadians while also providing a home for artists, creators, authors, and listeners alike. And yesterday, to honor our partnership with those communities over the last 10 years, our team in Canada flung open the doors to our Toronto HQ to welcome them for a day of events and entertainment celebrating Spotify’s journey with Canadians.

Featuring performances by Québec-based singer-songwriter Claudia Bouvette and country artist Cameron Whitcomb, alongside a fireside chat with author Uzma Jalaluddin for Spotify’s “Audiobook Club,” the open house encapsulated how Spotify has helped to broadcast Canadians’ unique diversity and culture around the world, as well as from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

 

Heroes’ Journeys: Audiobooks Exploring American History

November 11, 2024

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson marked the first commemoration of Armistice Day with these words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” More than a century later, one way to continue honoring those who have served in the armed forces is to listen to their stories. Here are some of Spotify’s editors’ top picks for audiobooks focused on pivotal moments in American military history. 

American Heroes

By James Patterson, Matt Eversmann, Tim Malloy
Narrated by Joe Mantegna

U.S. soldiers who served in overseas conflicts—World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan—recount the actions that earned them some of America’s most distinguished military medals, like the Medal of Honor. Described as the stories of those who acted in the spirit of camaraderie, patriotism, and for the good of our beloved country, American Heroes invites readers to think about duty, sacrifice, and what it means to be an American.

The Fly Girls Revolt: The Story of the Women Who Kicked Open the Door to Fly in Combat

By Eileen A. Bjorkman
Narrated by Lisa S. Ware 

In 1993, U.S. women earned the right to fly in combat, but the full story of how it happened is largely unknown. The Fly Girls Revolt chronicles the actions of a band of women who overcame decades of discrimination and prevailed against bureaucrats, chauvinists, anti-feminists, and even other military women. Drawing on extensive research, interviews with women who served in the 1970s and 1980s, and her experiences in the Air Force, Eileen Bjorkman weaves a riveting tale of the women who fought for the right to enter combat and be treated as equal partners in the U.S. military. 

Masters of the Air: America’s Bomber Boys Who Fought the Air War Against Nazi Germany

By Donald L. Miller
Narrated by Joe Barrett

Masters of the Air is the gripping history of the American Eighth Air Force in World War II and the story of the young men who flew the bombers that helped bring Nazi Germany to its knees. Told by historian and World War II expert Donald L. Miller, the book is also a chronicle of life in wartime England and in the German prison camps, where tens of thousands of airmen spent part of the war. And it ends with a vivid description of the grisly hunger marches captured airmen were forced to make near the end of the war through the country their bombs destroyed.

When the Sea Came Alive: An Oral History of D-Day

By Garrett M. Graff
Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, Garrett M. Graff

The surprise sunrise landing of more than 150,000 Allied troops on the beaches of occupied northern France on June 6, 1944, is one of the most consequential days of the twentieth century. Garrett M. Graff, historian and author of The Only Plane in the Sky and Watergate, brings it all together in a one-of-a-kind, bestselling oral history of D-Day that explores this seminal event in vivid, heart-pounding detail.  

Miracle at Midway

By Gordon W. Prange, Donald M. Goldstein, Katherine V. Dillon
Narrated by Qarie Marshall

Thanks to cutting-edge code-breaking technology, tactical daring, and a huge stroke of luck, the Americans under Admiral Chester W. Nimitz dealt the Japanese navy its first major defeat of the war. Three years of hard fighting remained, but it was at Midway that the tide turned. This graphic, in-depth bestseller is the first book to tell the story of the epic battle from both the American and Japanese sides, showing how America won its first and greatest victory in the Pacific.

Keep digging into the past with more historical audiobooks here on Spotify.

Give Yourself a Scare With These Suspenseful Audiobooks

October 24, 2024

Gather your tricks and treats because Halloween season is upon us. Spotify launched our first Spine-Chilling Audiobooks hub this month featuring the “Fear Index,” an all-new editorial meter that consists of three curated shelves for every level of fright. These include editor- and author-curated playlists from Ashley Flowers, Freida McFadden, Alaina Urquhart, Alyssa Cole, and Stephen Graham Jones.

If you’re ready to dive all the way into the Halloween vibes, a thriller or mystery audiobook is a great start. Here are a few titles selected by Spotify’s editors that are sure to make your blood run cold.

The Midnight Feast: A Novel 

By Lucy Foley
Narrated by Joe Eyre, Sarah Slimani, Roly Botha, Laurence Dobiesz, and Tuppence Middleton

Lucy Foley’s latest murder mystery thriller begins at the opening night of a luxury retreat called the Manor. The infinity pool sparkles and the cocktails are flowing, but under the burning midsummer sun, darkness stirs. Old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. It’s not too long before the local police are called. Turns out the past has crashed the party—with deadly results.

The Boyfriend: A Psychological Thriller 

By Freida McFadden
Narrated by Victoria Connolly and Adam Blanford

After a tough dating streak, Sydney Shaw finally thinks she’s hit the jackpot. Her new boyfriend is charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Then the brutal murder of a young woman—the latest in a string of deaths across the coast—confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them. Now Sydney can’t shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems.

 All Hallows: A Novel 

By Christopher Golden
Narrated by January LaVoy and Ron Butler 

 Christopher Golden is best known for his supernatural thrillers set in deadly, distant locales. But in this suburban drama, he brings the horror home. It’s Halloween night, 1984, in Coventry, Massachusetts, and mixed in with the trick-or-treaters are four children who do not belong. They seem terrified and beg the neighborhood kids to keep them safe from “The Cunning Man.” Strange things are happening, but with families falling apart and the neighborhood splintered by bitterness, who will save the children?

 The Only Good Indians 

By Stephen Graham Jones
Narrated by Shaun Taylor-Corbett

This New York Times bestselling novel is equal parts psychological horror and cutting social commentary on identity politics and the American Indian experience. The story follows the lives of four American Indian men and their families, all haunted by a disturbing, deadly event that took place in their youth. Years later, they find themselves tracked by an entity bent on revenge, totally helpless as the culture and traditions they left behind catch up to them in a violent, vengeful way.

All Good People Here: A Novel 

By Ashley Flowers
Narrated by Brittany Pressley, Karissa Vacker, and Ashley Flowers

In this debut novel from the host of the true crime podcast Crime Junkie, a journalist uncovers her hometown’s dark secrets when she becomes obsessed with the unsolved murder of her childhood neighbor and the disappearance of another girl 20 years later. Twisty, chilling, and intense, the book asks: What are your neighbors capable of when they think no one is watching?

For more spooky picks, head to our Spine-Chilling Audiobooks hub.

Spotify Launches Audiobooks in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—and Premium Listeners Get Instant Access

October 14, 2024

Since its launch just over a year ago, Spotify’s Audiobooks in Premium offering has helped introduce the format to an entirely new audience across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. We’re seeing more listeners try audiobooks for the first time and embrace new and different books, with hundreds of thousands of unique titles streamed.

Today, we’re thrilled to announce that listeners in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg will now have access to audiobooks, which includes exciting work from local authors such as Gaël Faye, Maylis de Kerangal, Joël Dicker, Suzanne Vermeer, and Saskia Noort, to name a few.

Eligible Spotify Premium subscribers in those countries will be able to access more than 200,000 audiobook titles as part of their subscriptions. Any title not included in our Audiobooks in Premium offering can be purchased à la carte. Listeners in these regions without a Premium subscription can also purchase any title on Spotify.

 

 

In partnership with publishers from across these markets, Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service, has the potential to grow the size of the audiobook industry overall. We are enabling more listeners than ever to discover and engage with a rich catalog of titles, including in their own language, and paving the way for future innovation of the audiobook format.

“Spotify’s reach presents a significant opportunity to expand the audiobooks market across France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg,” said Antoine Monin, Managing Director, Spotify Western Europe. “Since our launch in Western Europe 16 years ago, Spotify has evolved into a leading platform for music, podcasts, and now audiobooks. We are proud to spotlight this region’s rich literary tradition, with 15,000 French and 15,000 Dutch and Flemish titles joining our catalog, advancing our mission to empower audio creators globally and connect them with audiences both locally and internationally.”

One year of Audiobooks in Premium

While it’s still early days, the reaction to Audiobooks in Premium from authors, publishers, and listeners in available markets has been remarkable. On Spotify, we’ve seen user engagement increase among listeners who started an audiobook for the first time. In the U.S., these users spend an average of five additional hours on Spotify over their first two months after starting a book.

This launch opens up new opportunities for local authors and rights holders and helps create an additional revenue stream for the industry. With 28% of Spotify’s users located in Europe, we’ll continue investing in and growing the available audience and revenue pies for publishers and authors.

Spotify announced this latest expansion today in Paris with a panel featuring voices from across the industry: Laure Saget, CEO of Hachette’s Audiolib and Audiobook Commission President at the French Publishers Association, Liza Faja, Head of Lizzie, the audiobook imprint of Editis, Éric Marbeau, Head of Digital Distribution at Madrigall, parent company of Éditions Gallimard and Editions Flammarion, and Timothée Borne, CEO of the immersive audio content production company Blynd Media.

Spotify Helps Fans Celebrate the Premiere of ‘Heartstopper’ Season 3

October 7, 2024

Netflix’s hit show Heartstopper is back. This season, Nick, Charlie, and crew face new challenges as they navigate love, friendships, mental health, and more. The British series is based on the graphic novel by Alice Oseman, and this season, Alice shared that “While Heartstopper will always celebrate the joyful and point towards hope, I’m really excited that we are allowing the tone of the show to mature alongside our beloved characters growing up.”

Spotify is helping fans celebrate the season 3 premiere with loads of new content on our platform. Whether you’re midway through the season, haven’t started yet, or have already finished binging, we have audio extras, new audiobook recommendations, specialty playlists, and more to enjoy.

Music matches

The Heartstopper Official Playlist, which has been saved by more than 800,000 listeners, is updated with artists and songs featured in the new season. We also refreshed the character playlists for Nick and Charlie, Tara and Darcy, and Elle and Tao.

Within our GLOW hub, a dedicated space on Spotify spotlighting music and podcasts from LGBTQIA+ voices, listeners will find curated GLOW Tapes playlists from Kizzy Edgell, who plays the role of Darcy Olsson in the series, as well as author Alice.

“People say you’re made up of the people around you. This mix for my Spotify GLOW Tapes takeover is not just mine, but also full of people I’ve loved,” said Kizzy. “There’s angst and romance, all disjointed. Making this was reflective; I feel like you can get a pretty good sense of the type of kid I was. It’s maybe not the coolest playlist I could have made, but the songs mean so much and remind me of so much that it feels like an autobiography.”

Audiobook fun

Fans of the graphic novel can tune in to the audiobook Nick and Charlie. We’ve also created a This Is Alice Oseman audiobooks playlist to feature other books from the British author. Isaac Henderson, the resident bookworm character from the Heartstopper series, has his own audiobook playlist. This dedicated shelf on Spotify includes Isaac-approved favorites like All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson, Ace by Angela Chen, and selected classics like Emma by Jane Austen and The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

Playful podcasting

To dissect each episode and hear from the cast, consider Heartstopper: The Official Podcast. Hosted by Tia Kofi, the four-part series includes secrets, laughs, and heartfelt discussions.

Ready to dive in? Find all our Heartstopper content here.

Author Tam Kaur and Spotify Come Together to Talk Self-Love, Authenticity, and Audiobooks

October 3, 2024

With Audiobooks, Spotify is committed to delivering immersive listening experiences that deepen the connection between authors and listeners. By reimagining audiobook listening, we want to introduce the format to an entirely new audience and turn them into fans. And while it’s still early days, the reaction from authors, publishers, and listeners has been remarkable.

We also understand the importance of supporting authors, and last night, we opened up our London office to host a fireside chat between Spotify Chief Public Affairs Officer Dustee Jenkins and the celebrated U.K. creator, podcaster, and author Tam Kaur.

A renowned self-love and development expert, Tam aims to empower young people through insights and advice on topics like self-worth, confidence, the art of solo dating, and overcoming heartbreak.

Building on the success of her podcast, Self Obsessed, Tam released her debut book this past August. Buy Yourself the Damn Flowers is a comprehensive, in-depth guide for all things self-love, helping listeners be their best selves by demystifying self-care and breaking it down into manageable everyday practices.

As guests arrived and settled in, they enjoyed the sounds of Irish Indonesian Malaysian DJ Tara Kumar, along with drinks and snacks courtesy of London’s Mam Sham, who created a special menu inspired by Tam’s new book. After a quick round of trivia to warm things up—it turns out Tam’s listeners are major Sabrina Carpenter fans—it was time for our featured guests to take the stage.

Celebrate Latin Heritage Month With These Powerful Audiobooks

September 20, 2024

Latin culture has made an impact far beyond its geographical boundaries. The rich traditions and vibrant lifestyles have had a tremendous influence on the worlds of music, literature, art, and more.

Look no further than music to understand the mark Latin artists have made around the globe: In the last decade, the number of worldwide Latin music listeners on Spotify has skyrocketed by 986%.

September 15 through October 15 marks Latin Heritage Month, a time to highlight the diverse cultural landscape of these communities and to celebrate the widespread impact they’ve had on the U.S. On Spotify, we are recognizing Latin creators and their far-reaching contributions in the music, podcast, and audiobook spaces.

Our audiobooks spotlight is new this year, and we are excited to feature some of the many Latin authors who have captivated the world with their powerful words. We are highlighting the legacy of Latin storytelling and storytellers in our Audiobooks hub in a section called Celebrate Latin Heritage Month. Listeners can also browse through Spotify’s “This Is” playlists, which feature bestselling and beloved Latin authors including Gabriel García Márquez, Isabel Allende, and Paulo Coelho. They can also find their next pick in our curated themed playlists like Latine Magic and Legends Past and Present.

Don’t know where to start? From fantastical tales to community-driven storytelling, we rounded up five audiobooks from Latin authors that made it onto our must-listen-to list. 

The Alchemist

Written by Paulo Coelho
Narrated by Jeremy Irons

Author Paulo Coelho combines magic, mysticism, wisdom, and wonder in his inspiring tale of self-discovery. The masterpiece tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will lead him to riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. 

How We Named the Stars

Written by Andrés N. Ordorica
Narrated by Christian Barillas

Andrés N. Ordorica’s How We Named the Stars is a debut novel of love, heartache, redemption, and learning to honor the dead. When Daniel de La Luna arrives as a scholarship student at an elite East Coast university, his roommate, Sam, changes everything. As their relationship evolves from brotherly banter to something more intimate, Daniel soon finds himself in love. But then Daniel experiences a brutal turn of events that changes his life forever. 

Tías and Primas

Written and narrated by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez

Author Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez was born into a large, close-knit family in Nicaragua and grew up surrounded by strong, kind, funny, sensitive, resilient, judgmental, messy, beautiful women. Whether blood relatives or chosen family, these tías and primas fundamentally shaped her view of the world. In her new book, Prisca explores these archetypes. 

Her Body and Other Parties

Written by Carmen Maria Machado
Narrated by Amy Landon

In Her Body and Other Parties, Carmen Maria Machado blithely demolishes the arbitrary borders between psychological realism and science fiction, comedy and horror, fantasy and fabulism. From a wife refusing her husband’s entreaties to remove the green ribbon from around her neck to a sales clerk making a horrifying discovery within the seams of the store’s prom dresses, this book features a collection of short stories that maps the realities of women’s lives and the violence visited upon their bodies. 

The Book of Jose: A Memoir

Written by Fat Joe and Shaheem Reid
Narrated by Fat Joe

Grammy-nominated, multiplatinum-selling artist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Fat Joe pulls back the curtain on his larger-than-life persona in this gritty, intimate memoir about growing up in the South Bronx and finding his voice through music. The memoir reveals how he navigated that traumatizing landscape until he found—through art, friendship, luck, and will—a rocky path to a different life.

Looking for more? Check out our Latin Heritage Month audiobooks selection, and be sure and tune in to top music picks from the Our Voice playlist found on the Latin hub, all on Spotify.

Join Author Bella Mackie on a Musical Journey Inspired by Her ‘Darkly Comic’ New Book

September 19, 2024

As many readers will attest, wit and humor make for excellent counterparts to the crime fiction genre. That formula certainly worked for Bella Mackie when it came to her 2021 debut bestseller, How to Kill Your Family. Now the author is back with another darkly funny mystery, What a Way to Go.

Out now, the book follows the aftermath of the death of a multimillionaire husband and father. It features a status-driven widow, four inheritance-obsessed children, and a murderous twist. Last week, Bella stopped by Spotify’s London office to celebrate the release of her second novel, joining creator Jack Edwards for a fireside chat.

The author also curated a Spotify playlist inspired by the themes and plot of the book, with tracks from the likes of Blur, Taylor Swift, and Kendrick Lamar.

For the Record sat down with Bella to hear more about her new novel, as well as her creative process and influences.

What can fans expect from What a Way to Go?

Readers can expect more rich people behaving badly, some pretty gruesome deaths, and a darkly comic look at the British class system. The book also covers the afterlife, true crime enthusiasts, and the financial system—there’s a lot going on!

You’re a British Vogue columnist and a former journalist. How did you get into fiction writing?

I wrote a nonfiction book called Jog On, which did well. After the release, I had some offers to write more nonfiction, but I knew I really wanted to try writing a novel. I thought this would be my best shot, so I offered up some chapters I’d written and luckily a publisher liked it. It was a lot of luck and good fortune.

Speaking of Jog On, that book explores mental health and exercise. Is listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks part of that healthy routine for you?

Definitely. All three! When I want to run long, I listen to podcasts and audiobooks, and when I want to run fast and get that runner’s high, I listen to playlists which keep the tempo upbeat and pacey.

Walk us through your writing process.

It’s a lot of thinking—letting ideas percolate is such a massively important part of writing fiction. I don’t even realize how much the random ideas that pop into my mind at 11 p.m. knit together to form a story until it’s halfway done. And then you’ve just got to write—even if it’s not working the way you want, you can write through it.

Audiobooks have become a popular way to consume novels. How do you think having your words read aloud changes the experience for the listener?

It’s fantastic, honestly. Listening to Charly Clive read How to Kill Your Family was so interesting—she brought the character to life in a new way. It’s lovely to have my words in people’s ears.

What book has had the biggest influence on you?

Probably Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I think it’s perfect crime fiction, and it inspired How to Kill Your Family with its structure and motivations.

What are you reading right now?

I’m reading Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, which is a book that tells the stories of North Korean defectors. It’s both shocking and tender. Highly recommend.

Stream Bella’s playlist to hear some wonderfully wicked tunes.

A+ Listening for Back-to-School Season

August 29, 2024

Bells are ringing—school bells, that is—as kids across the U.S. start the new school year. In addition to fresh fits and the right supplies, kids might also need some encouragement for the excitement and challenges ahead, and audiobooks and podcasts are a great way to start.

Here are some of the top back-to-school picks selected by the Spotify team—they’re full of examples of curiosity, friendship, kindness, and inclusion to help ease those first-day jitters.

Audiobooks

Gustavo the Shy Ghost 

Written by Flavia Z. Drago

Narrated by Marisa Blake

Back-to-school season means that Halloween is just ahead. And little ghouls and goblins will love debut author Flavia Z. Drago’s sweet and gently offbeat story of loneliness, bravery, and friendship.

Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him?

Sheila Rae the Brave 

Written by Kevin Henkesn

Narrated by Laura Hamilton

Kevin Henkes is the beloved author of perennial favorites including Chrysanthemum, Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, Julius, the Baby of the World, and Owen.

In Sheila Rae the Brave, we meet Sheila, who is not afraid of anything. She steps on cracks, walks backward with her eyes closed, and teases her sister for her fears. But when Sheila Rae gets lost one day, she discovers maybe, just maybe, she isn’t quite as brave as she thought she was.

The Case of the Disgusting School Dinners 

Written by Angie Lake

Narrated by Claudia Campbell

Aren’t school dinners a bit strange? Chicken nuggets? On pizza? Covered in chocolate? Nobody wants to live on lettuce and broccoli, but children are losing teeth over this! This looks like a case for Mina Mistry, the adventure-seeking sleuth at the center of Claudia Campbell’s The Case of the Disgusting School Dinners.

Being at school is boring when you just know you’re going to grow up to be something cool like a private investigator. So until then, Mina’s going to practice for her future, and there’s plenty of detective work to be done at school.

Hattie Harmony 

Written and narrated by Robbie Arnett and Elizabeth Olsen

In this sequel to the New York Times bestseller Hattie Harmony: Worry Detective, the eponymous protagonist shares new tools for managing anxiety, just in time for opening night of the school play.

There are lines to be memorized, costumes to sew, and sets to paint. Will Hattie be able to settle the pre-show jitters before curtain call? Co-authored by actress Elizabeth Olsen and musician and writer Robbie Arnett, this relatable tale introduces the youngest readers to the importance of self-care.

The Good Egg and the Talent Show 

Written by Jory John

Narrated by Dan Bittner

The Good Egg is so excited for the talent show, but there’s just one problem: He doesn’t have an act. When the talent show starts, he accepts that he’ll be just a regular audience member. But when his friends need help onstage, the Good Egg steps up to assist and discovers that being yourself and being kind deserve a standing ovation.

The Good Egg and the Talent Show is a Level 1 I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for kids who are sounding out words and sentences. Audiobooks are also a great companion to physical books for kids discovering the joys of reading on their own.

Podcasts

Short History Of…

History is full of the extraordinary, and each week, Short History Of… transports listeners back in time to witness history’s most incredible moments and remarkable people.

Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby!

Let’s Talk About Myths, Baby! is a special back-to-school series that explores the most entertaining and enraging stories from mythology every Tuesday and Friday this September. Told in a casual, contemporary, and sarcastic tone, each episode will leave listeners realizing that Greek and Roman gods did some pretty weird (and awful) things.

Dan Snow’s History Hit

Listen along as historian Dan Snow investigates the how and why of history’s defining moments. From the tomb of Tutankhamun to the battlefields of Waterloo, Dan shares the greatest stories from the past to help us understand the present.

The Ten News

The Ten News is a bite-sized podcast for families who are curious about the world around them. Each episode explores topics kids care about most, including events, sports, science, gaming, pop culture, entertainment, and more.

Phil Edwards

From business to tech, french fries to Civil War balloons, podcaster Phil Edwards dives deep into everyday topics and finds the stories that will pique the interest of adults and kids alike. 

 For even more content, check out our Back to School Hub on Spotify. 

The Best Audiobooks of the Year (So Far)

July 31, 2024

We’re halfway through the year and at a perfect moment to consider which humorous, intriguing, and entertaining audiotales have captivated readers thus far in 2024. Spotify’s editors have explored the virtual book shelves to recommend the audiobooks that are making waves and are ready to add to your queue.  

 James: A Novel by Percival Everett

Narrated by Dominic Hoffman

This harrowing and darkly humorous reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view. Upon discovering that he is about to be sent to New Orleans and separated from his wife and daughter, Jim hatches a plan while hiding out on nearby Jackson Island. Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father and  begins the classic story of his journey by raft down the Mississippi River. While much of the familiar Huckleberry Finn remains, James paints Jim’s agency, intelligence, and compassion in a radical new light.


Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne

Narrated by Patric Gagne

Patric Gagne’s bestselling memoir explores her struggle to understand her own sociopathy and sheds light on the maligned and misunderstood mental disorder. When she was diagnosed, Gagne was told there was no treatment and no hope for a normal life. She was haunted by sociopaths in pop culture, madmen, and evil villains. But reconnecting with an old flame offered a glimpse of a brighter future. With the help of her sweetheart (and some curious characters she meets along the way), she embarks on a journey to change her fate and build a life full of love and hope.

The Witch of New York: The Trials of Polly Bodine and the Creation of Tabloid Justice in America by Alex Hortis

Narrated by Erin Bennett

Polly Bodine was the first American woman put on trial for capital murder. On Christmas night 1843, shocked neighbors discovered the remains of young mother Emeline Houseman and her infant daughter, Ann Eliza. When an ambitious district attorney charged Polly Bodine—Emeline’s sister-in-law—with a double homicide, the new “penny press” exploded. Polly was the perfect media villain, and between June 1844 and April 1846, the nation was enthralled by her three trials for the “Christmas murders.” The Witch of New York is the first narrative history about the dueling trial lawyers, ruthless newsmen, and shameless hucksters who turned the case into America’s formative tabloid trial.

 Breaking Free from Broke by George Kamel

Narrated by George Kamel

Despite living in the most advanced society in history, we have less time and less money than ever before. The book explores how the path between financial stress and financial peace is littered with traps, myths, and distractions. George Kamel shares a personal story of how he broke free from debt and went from a negative net worth to a millionaire in less than a decade. Breaking Free from Broke promises that you’ll feel confident in your ability to buck the toxic money system, ditch debt, and build wealth.

Collide by Bal Khabra

Narrated by Julia Knippen, Max Meyers

Summer Preston is an honors student with ambitious graduate school plans. Aiden Crawford is a jock with only hockey on his mind. The two “collide” as part of a research project. While Summer can’t stand Aiden’s blasé approach to life and Aiden doesn’t understand why she’s 20 years old with a 25-year-plan, their bickering soon turns to bantering and their connection is hot enough to melt an ice rink.

This is just a sampling—we have lots more picks. For the full list, check out our Best of the Year (So Far) hub.

Go for the Gold This Summer With These Sports-Themed Audiobooks and Podcasts

July 26, 2024

Summer is peak season for some of our favorite sports and events. Whether you’re rooting for the home team at the ballpark or cheering for your country as it competes in Paris, Spotify’s editors have audiobook and podcast recommendations that will help you amp up your team spirit.

Audiobooks

Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance

Simone Biles, Michelle Burford

Narrated by Imani Parks

In Courage to Soar, four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast Simone Biles shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance made her one of the top athletes and gymnasts in the world. The GOAT’s entrance into the world of gymnastics started on a field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, and her talent, along with drive to succeed no matter what, has fueled her ever since. This official autobiography shows that there is much more to Simone than meets the eye, and it offers inspiration for finding the courage to overcome life’s obstacles.

Make It Count: My Fight to Become the First Transgender Olympic Runner

CeCé Telfer

Narrated by CeCé Telfer

This inspiring story from the first openly transgender woman to win an NCAA title follows CeCé Telfer’s traditional upbringing in Jamaica, her fight to become a U.S. citizen, her efforts to achieve her Olympic dreams, and the many obstacles that came with them. It’s a story of resilience, athleticism, and a quest for clarity, because when CeCé discovered running, she also found herself. 

Three Kings: Race, Class, and the Barrier-Breaking Rivals Who Launched the Modern Olympic Age

Todd Balf

Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini

Even a century later, the 100-meter sprint final at the 1924 Paris Games is considered one of the most thrilling races in Olympic history. Broadcast live for the first time and featuring three of the world’s fastest swimmers—American legends Duke Kahanamoku and Johnny Weissmuller, and Japanese upstart Katsuo Takaishi—the race was also the first Olympic swimming final to spotlight athletes of different races. Three Kings traces the careers and rivalries of these men and looks at how our modern-day conception of athleticism and competition is rooted in this previous era and its athletes.

Drop In: The Gender Rebels Who Changed the Face of Skateboarding

Deborah Stoll

Narrated by Deborah Stoll, Daru Oda

Who gets to tell the story of skateboarding? The four skateboarders at the heart of Drop In defied expectations of gender, talent, physical ability, and mental capacity to fight the status quo: Alana as the first openly nonbinary athlete in Olympic history; Vanessa as a record-breaking runaway; Marbie as an accidental boundary-breaking trans icon; and Victoria as the skate rookie turned social media sensation. This story spotlights their paths from rebellious outsiders to pioneers onstage at the 2021 Tokyo Games, where skateboarding made its debut. 

Just Add Water: My Swimming Life 

Katie Ledecky

Narrated by Katie Ledecky

Katie Ledecky has won more individual Olympic races than any female swimmer in history. Just Add Water charts Ledecky’s life in swimming, from her start in Bethesda, Maryland, where she first discovered the joy of the pool, to winning gold at just 15 years old, to balancing competition and her education at Stanford University. Ledecky shares firsthand how she developed a champion’s mindset that has allowed her to persevere through the intense pressures of her sport and how she has continued to dominate in the pool, where success comes down to  milliseconds

Podcasts

Sal’s Winning Weekend

Sal Iacono—Jimmy Kimmel Live on-air personality and host of Cousin Sal’s Winning Weekend—breaks down the world of gambling across a variety of sports, including professional football, basketball, hockey, and ultimate fighting; boxing; wrestling; and even competitive hot dog eating.

The Ryen Russillo Podcast

Each week, longtime sports radio host Ryen Russillo covers the biggest topics in sports. This podcast is one-stop listening for everything that’s happening in the athletic world, from the winners and losers to trade talk and predictions—and a dash of pop culture.

The Bill Simmons Podcast

HBO and The Ringer’s Bill Simmons hosts the most downloaded sports podcast of all time. Tune in to hear him in conversation with a rotating crew of celebrities, athletes, and media heavyweights, as well as regulars like Cousin Sal and Joe House.

Counter Pressed

Commentator Flo Lloyd-Hughes and a rotating group of friends offer a fun, unfiltered look at the world of football, with a focus on the women’s game. 

The Press Box

The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis and David Shoemaker catch up listeners on the biggest media stories of the week, from sports to politics and everything in between.

Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air

Emmy-winning producer, actor, and comedian Larry Wilmore weighs in on the issues of the week and interviews guests from the worlds of politics, entertainment, culture, sports, and beyond.

Ringer Dish

Ringer Dish is the place for all things celebrity and pop culture. From major moments like the Met Gala, the Oscars, and massive sporting events to the weird habits of the stars you love, and even refreshers on the biggest tabloid stories of the last 20 years, Ringer Dish has all the vital details.