Tag: reading

Audiobooks+ Brings More Choice and Flexibility to Spotify Premium Subscribers

July 16, 2025

Spotify’s goal with audiobooks is to help grow the publishing industry and create the best possible experience for booklovers, which is why we’re launching flexible subscription plans to suit every type of fan.

Following successful trials in Ireland and Canada, Spotify Premium users in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein will now also have access to two new add-on subscriptions offering greater flexibility:

    • Audiobooks+: Available to Premium Individual subscribers as well as Family and Duo plan managers, this add-on unlocks an additional 15 hours of listening each month for the existing base plan—a great option for booklovers seeking more audiobook time, including fans of longer titles.
    • Audiobooks+ for Plan Members: For the first time, additional members on Premium Family and Duo can access 15 hours of monthly audiobook listening through this recurring add-on. Plan members just need to request audiobook access from their plan manager, who can purchase the add-on on their behalf. They can also purchase a one-time 10-hour top-up if they run out of hours before their monthly billing cycle refreshes.

Growing the audiobooks fan base

These new plan options give listeners more flexibility for their audiobook listening on Spotify, ultimately opening up the format to millions of new potential fans worldwide. This is all part of our goal to help publishers and authors reach new listeners, grow revenue, and together, help the book industry scale new heights.

Follow @SpotifyNews to stay up to date on the latest and head to Spotify to find your next great listen. Pricing for Audiobooks+ varies by market, for more please visit Spotify.com/audiobooks.

Spotify Partners With The Reading Agency to Bring the Summer Reading Challenge to Life Through Audio

July 4, 2025

The Summer Reading Challenge has inspired children across the U.K. to embrace a love of reading for years now. But as technology evolves, so do the ways people engage with books, with audio playing a complementary role to sitting down with a good book. That’s why Spotify is thrilled to announce that we’re partnering with The Reading Agency to provide even more options for families and children to easily find and access books. 

Returning on July 5 with the theme “Story Garden,” the Summer Reading Challenge has been a cornerstone of literacy efforts since 1999, encouraging kids to visit their local libraries and dive into new worlds. And to make it a breeze to locate the audio components, we’ve created an official playlist of the Summer Reading Challenge titles that are available within Audiobooks in Premium.  

“Many in the Audiobooks team at Spotify grew up doing the Summer Reading Challenge, so it’s an initiative close to our hearts,” said Duncan Bruce, Director of Partnerships & Licensing, Spotify. “Audiobooks are a powerful way to help children discover the joy of books in ways that work for them—at bedtime, in the car, or curled up in the garden. We’re supporting the Summer Reading Challenge’s mission to help spark a lifelong love of books in every child, regardless of background, ability, or learning style. We hope all of these books, in all their formats, spark a love of reading that lasts well beyond summer.”

The Story Garden theme entices young readers to explore the great outdoors through magical tales of nature, imagination, and adventure, with enchanting illustrations from award-winning artist Dapo Adeola. As libraries transform into immersive gardens of discovery, we want to help make these stories accessible to every child, in every format.

The future of reading

Audiobooks offer a powerful way to bridge the reading gap, making stories enjoyable for everyone, including neurodiverse learners, the seeing impaired, and those who may struggle with traditional reading formats. According to the Reading Agency, just one in three children enjoy reading today (a 33% decrease since 2005), making initiatives like this more vital than ever. Last year, the Summer Reading Challenge reached 600,000 children and led to over 13 million book loans. We are proud to support its continued success and help even more children discover the magic of reading.

At Spotify, we know that listening to stories can build comprehension, expand vocabulary, and spark imagination. Audiobooks complement—but don’t replace—print reading. With our official Summer Reading Challenge playlist, families can easily find, stream, and enjoy these inspiring tales of nature and adventure, whether they’re at home on the sofa or exploring the great outdoors.

Dive into the Story Garden with the official Summer Reading Challenge playlist on Spotify. To explore the full Summer Reading Challenge booklist and learn how to sign up, visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk.

Spotify Delivers Growth for the Publishing Industry: Audiobooks Sales Continue to Grow

June 10, 2025

Since Audiobooks in Premium launched on Spotify in 2023, we’ve seen strong growth all around, with our catalog of English-language audiobooks nearly tripling in size to more than 400,000 titles.

And the number of audiobooks listeners and listening hours increased by more than 30% and 35% year-over-year, respectively, in the U.S., U.K., and Australia. More recently, since the launch of audiobooks in France and the Benelux last year, we’ve also seen audiobook listeners in those countries grow by a monthly average of 12%.

Much of this growth is driven by users who were listening to an audiobook for the very first time. This isn’t just (really) cool — we believe it’s playing a key role in the sales of the publishing industry overall.

A newly released survey by the Audiobook Publishers Association shows that audiobook sales grew by 13% in 2024, with 99% of the revenues generated by digital audiobooks.  

More specifically, our publishing partners are seeing growth and are citing Spotify as a key contributor to that growth.

  • U.K. publisher Bloomsbury reported that audio sales during its 2025 fiscal year “grew 57 percent in part driven by our new commercial relationship with Spotify.”
  • French publisher Lagadere mentioned in its 2024 financial report that “digital sales grew significantly in the audio segment (up 38%), driven by a new partnership with Spotify.”
  • U.S. publisher HarperCollins has also said that in the fourth quarter of 2024, audiobook sales rose by 13% compared to Q4 2023, with parent company News Corp pointing out our entrance into the audiobook market as a catalyst for that growth.

We want to help the industry maintain this momentum by introducing even more listeners to the world of audiobooks. And we’ll do that by continuing to provide the best experience for authors, publishers, and listeners alike. So far, we’ve done this by: 

Audiobooks have the power to transform the way stories are told and enjoyed, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this revolution.

Find your next great read by browsing the Audiobooks hub on Spotify.

Dua Lipa’s Service95 Book Club Podcast Is Launching on Spotify, Plus Her Summer Reading Picks

June 4, 2025

Whether she’s in the studio, on a tour bus, or traveling the world, there’s one thing Dua Lipa always carries with her: a good book. And now, the star’s acclaimed Service95 Book Club video interview series is expanding its reach with a new presence on Spotify. Starting June 10, Dua’s conversations with authors will be available for Spotify’s vast audience to view, creating new avenues for discovery and connection.

The Service95 Book Club has become a beloved space for Dua’s fans and literary enthusiasts alike, featuring her personally curated monthly reads and exclusive Q&As with authors, plus reading recommendations from the Service95 team. The Service95 Book Club With Dua Lipa podcast will feature both brand-new interviews with authors of Dua’s monthly reads and a treasure trove of conversations from the Service95 archives.

“For me, one of the best things about reading is getting to chat with my friends about the book that’s just blown my mind,” said Dua. “But surely the ultimate fantasy would be to have the author in the room there with us, answering all our questions about the incredible world they’ve created. Well, I get to live out my fantasy with the Service95 Book Club podcast, where in each episode I share a book I love and I’m joined by the author themselves. As someone who really is obsessed with books, it’s a dream come true.”

To celebrate the launch, here are a few of Dua’s summer 2025 book picks: 

  • This House of Grief by Helen Garner: “It wouldn’t be my book pile without at least one harrowing story. [This is] a nonfiction account of a case that follows an accused father driving his car into a dam with his three sons in the back. I couldn’t put it down.”
  • Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: “This has been in my TBR [to-be-read] pile for a while and I can’t wait to have time to read it this summer.”
  • Fearless and Free by Josephine Baker: “Formed from over 20 years of conversations with French journalist Marcel Sauvage, this memoir has just been published in English for the first time.”

“It’s a genuine thrill to welcome Dua Lipa and the Service95 Book Club to Spotify,” said Roshni Radia, Audiobooks Editor at Spotify. “Dua’s unique style and clear passion for literature make this a perfect fit for us, and it really showcases the full ecosystem of creative talent on Spotify. We’re excited to see fans of Dua’s music fall in love with this interview series, and then go on to discover new authors whose audiobooks they can listen to right there on Spotify, too.”

Check out the trailer for the Service95 Book Club With Dua Lipa, launching June 10 on Spotify.

Six Captivating Audiobooks Amplify Asian and Pacific Islander Artists

May 20, 2025

Throughout the month of May, Spotify is celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by amplifying the many artists, creators, and authors who share the richness of their heritage through music, podcasts, and audiobooks.

For authors in particular, we’re showcasing the diverse range of voices, themes, and experiences with a dedicated audiobook shelf in our Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month hub. The hub features a curated collection of titles where you can find works from some of the literary world’s biggest names. 

We tapped our editors to share six top picks to get you started.

Butter: A Novel of Food and Murder

By Asako Yuzuki

Narrated by Hanako Footman

Inspired by true events, Asako Yuzuki’s bestseller explores misogyny, romance, and the transgressive pleasure of food through the story of a female gourmet cook/serial killer, and the journalist intent on cracking her case. 

Gifted & Talented

By Olivie Blake

Narrated by Eunice Wong

Olivie Blake, bestselling author of The Atlas Six, tells the story of three siblings reckoning with long-festering rivalries and dangerous abilities. When their CEO father dies, any one of the telepathically and electrokinetically gifted siblings could inherit the Wrenfare throne.

Pachinko

By Min Jin Lee

Narrated by Sandra Oh, Min Jin Lee

In Pachinko, four generations of a poor Korean immigrant family fight to control their destiny in 20th-century Japan. In the early 1900s, teenaged Sunja, the adored daughter of a crippled fisherman, falls for a wealthy stranger. When she discovers she is pregnant—and that her lover is married—she accepts an offer of marriage from a gentle, sickly minister passing through on his way to Japan. But her decision to abandon her home, and to reject her son’s powerful father, sets off a dramatic saga that will echo down through the generations.

Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning

By Cathy Park Hong

Narrated by Cathy Park Hong 

Poet and essayist Cathy Park Hong blends memoir, cultural criticism and history to expose fresh truths about racialized consciousness in America. As the daughter of Korean immigrants, the author grew up steeped in shame, suspicion, and melancholy. She would later understand that so-called “minor feelings” occur when American optimism contradicts one’s own reality. 

Shanghailanders: A Novel

By Juli Min

Narrated by Mei Mei Macleod 

Juli Min’s debut novel follows a cosmopolitan Shanghai household backward in time—from 2040 and through the present and recent past—exploring their secrets, their losses, and the ways a family makes and remakes itself across the years. 

The Emperor of Gladness

By Ocean Vuong

Narrated by James Aaron Oh

Following the cycles of history, memory, and time, The Emperor of Gladness shows the profound ways in which love, labor, and loneliness form the bedrock of American life. At its heart is a brave epic about what it means to exist on the fringes of society and to reckon with the wounds that haunt our collective soul. 

For much more content celebrating API artists—including playlists, podcasts, artist spotlights, and more—visit our special Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month hub on Spotify.

Spotify Expands Its Audiobooks Offering To Listeners In Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein

April 15, 2025

As the world’s most popular audio-streaming subscription service, Spotify is committed to expanding the audiobook industry, enabling more listeners than ever to discover and engage, and paving the way for future innovation.

We saw early adoption of podcasts and audiobooks in Germany, with labels and fans embracing both formats. Recognizing this potential, we spoke to our users and began innovating and building podcasts globally. 

There’s already a strong appetite for audiobooks across German-speaking markets. With millions of people enjoying audiobooks on Spotify in Germany, we’re excited to enhance this experience by providing a Premium experience for our users of Spotify Individual and Duo or Family Plan Managers.

Today we’re launching an enhanced audiobooks offering in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. Eligible Premium listeners in these markets will have access to 350,000 audiobooks, including titles in German, French, and Italian.

Eligible Premium subscribers will receive 12 hours of audiobook listening each month, and additional 10-hour allocations can be purchased as needed from €9.99. Listeners without an eligible Premium subscription will be able to pay to unlock access to individual audiobook titles a la carte. 

Delivering a better listening experience 

In Germany, there’s a rich tradition of storytelling and “Hörspiele” (audio plays), which has paved the way for the popularity of audiobooks. Today, audiobooks are a significant part of the cultural landscape, preserving and promoting literature in a modern format. 

With Audiobooks in Premium, users will find a host of new benefits that will make the listening experience even better. Along with an expanded catalog—which includes titles like Cornelia Funke’s Tintenherz, Caroline Wahl’s 22 Bahnen, and Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing—listeners can:

  • Search more easily via our dedicated Audiobooks tab.
  • Explore recommendations from our Home feed.
  • Access our hub to discover top titles curated by our editorial experts. 
  • Save their progress in an audiobook, ensuring they can easily pick up where they left off during their next listening session. 
  • Pre-save upcoming releases from their favorite authors with Countdown Pages.
  • Use our Spotify Sleep Timer so they don’t lose their place.

“We are turning up the volume on where people are already listening, and getting even more great stories to them with this new catalog and listening experience. In the markets where we have already launched, we’ve already accelerated growth for the audiobook business, and that’s what we’re committed to doing here in Germany and across Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein,” said David Kaefer, VP Audiobooks Business.

Find your next great read by browsing the Audiobooks hub on Spotify.

*Terms apply. 12 hours/month from our subscriber catalog available to Individual and Duo or Family Plan Managers only.

Bingeworthy Audiobooks and Podcasts to Nourish Your Soul

November 25, 2024

‘Tis the season for gathering with family and friends! As we come together around our communal tables to celebrate, whet your appetite with some of Spotify editors’ favorite audiobooks and podcasts focused on food.

Appetizing Audiobooks

Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals

By Dolly Parton, Rachel Parton George
Narrated by Dolly Parton, Rachel Parton George, Maurice Miner

“Hey, good lookin’—what ya got cookin’?” That’s what Dolly Parton sings to her sister Rachel Parton George whenever she walks into her kitchen. Now you’re invited to pull up a chair to a year of meals, friends, and fun with the Partons, as Dolly and her sister (and favorite cook) share beloved, crowd-pleasing recipes and family stories.

Sobremesa: A Memoir of Food and Love in Thirteen Courses

By Josephine Caminos Oría
Narrated by Julie Gonzalo

We often overlook the soulful nourishment and magic that happens at sobremesa—the time spent talking after a meal—due to busy lives. In this coming-of-age adventure, Josephine Caminos Oría travels to her family’s homeland of Argentina in search of that magic. Steeped in the lure of Latin culture, she pieces together her mom and abuela’s pasts, along with the nourishing dishes that formed their kitchen arsenal. 

Open Wide: A Cookbook for Friends

By benny blanco and Jess Damuck
Narrated by benny blanco

The debut cookbook from benny blanco—pop music super-producer, artist, actor on FXX’s Dave, and consummate food freak—teaches you everything you need to know about cooking, enjoying life, and throwing the greatest dinner party of all time. 

Cooking from the Spirit: Easy, Delicious, and Joyful Plant-Based Inspirations

By Tabitha Brown
Narrated by Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Feeding the Soul, presents her first cookbook—full of easy, family-friendly vegan recipes and stories from the spirit, inspired by her health journey and love of delicious food. After living with a terrible undiagnosed illness for more than a year and a half, Brown tried a 30-day vegan challenge—and never looked back. 

 Ratio: The Simple Codes Behind the Craft of Everyday Cooking

By Michael Ruhlman
Narrated by Michael Ruhlman

Michael Ruhlman’s New York Times bestseller takes us to the very “truth” of cooking: it is not about recipes but rather about basic ratios and fundamental techniques that make all food come together. Why spend time sorting through the millions of cookie recipes? Isn’t it easier just to remember 1-2-3? That’s the ratio of ingredients that always make a basic, delicious cookie dough: 1 part sugar, 2 parts fat, and 3 parts flour. 

Palate-Pleasing Podcasts

Ringer Food

Juliet Litman and David Jacoby sample various snacks, share personal tales about food, and round up the latest in food news from around the world. And then come hang with Joe House and his culinary comrades on their House of Carbs segments to devour the latest additions to the food universe’s menu with a slate of tasty episodes throughout the year.

The Dave Chang Show

Momofuku restaurant-founder, and creator and host of Netflix’s Ugly Delicious, Dave Chang is also an avid student and fan of sports, music, art, and film. In wide-ranging conversations that cover everything from the creative process to his guest’s guiltiest pleasures, Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.

 Gastropod

Co-hosts Cynthia Graber and Nicola Twilley explore the hidden history and surprising science behind a different food or farming-related topic, from aquaculture to ancient feasts, from cutlery to chile peppers, and from microbes to Malbec. They interview experts, visit labs, fields, and archaeological digs, and generally have lots of fun while discovering new ways to think about and understand the world through food.

Food People by Bon Appétit

Bon Appétit’s Editor-in-Chief Jamila Robinson engages in discussions about how we eat and why food matters. The show includes interviews with renowned voices from the food world, behind-the-scenes details into how the magazine is made, and insight from the latest stories.

The Sporkful

We obsess about food to learn more about people, and The Sporkful isn’t for foodies, it’s for eaters. Hosted by Dan Pashman, who’s also the inventor of the new pasta shape cascatelli, the show is a James Beard and Webby Award winner for Best Food Podcast.

A Hot Dog Is a Sandwich 

Mythical Chefs Josh Scherer and Nicole Enayati discuss, debate, and dissect the web’s most hilariously controversial culinary quandaries.

Food Network Obsessed 

Host Jaymee Sire sits down with chefs, food influencers, and Food Network personalities to dish on all things delicious in the food world. From exclusive behind-the-scenes stories, first (and worst) jobs in food, to cooking fails and culinary triumphs, no topic is off the menu. 

6 Spotify Audiobook Features That Level Up Your Listening Experience

November 21, 2024

Since launching our audiobooks offering, we’ve continuously upped our game on designing a user experience that provides seamless and engaging listening. You may be so quick to get into your next “read” on Spotify that you don’t even notice some of the features in the app. ICYMI: Check out the innovations we’ve launched—and are testing—to enhance your audiobooks experience.

1. Author Pages

Currently in pilot mode with a select number of authors, these dedicated profiles for audiobook authors include biographical information about their backgrounds and works. Author Pages will aggregate their entire catalogs available on Spotify, making it easier for you to explore an author’s previous works, as well as new releases on our platform.

2. Sleep Timer for audiobooks

Our built-in Sleep Timer lets you enjoy an audiobook and drift off without having to worry about it continuing on until the end. You can decide how long you want it to play before it automatically stops. For eligible Spotify Premium users who get access to a certain amount of audiobook listening hours a month as part of their subscription, this feature is a great way to ensure you’re catching every minute. Visit this article to learn more about how to make our Sleep Timer part of any bedtime routine. 

3. Video clips for exploring audiobooks 

Fear of commitment? We’re testing a new video feature that allows select authors and publishers to submit a short video about a specific title. This can be an interview snippet, a backstage video from the audio recording session, a video message from the author, or something else. Much like a book’s jacket, these videos give you a taste of an audiobook before pressing play, offering an engaging way to explore and evaluate audiobook offerings.

4. Audiobook Countdown Pages

Countdown Pages allow you to save an audiobook prior to its release date so you can easily find it in your Spotify library once it’s live. Every time you visit the page, you can see how long you have until the title is available. Authors, publishers, and narrators can also use these pages to help promote their upcoming titles ahead of launch. Learn more about how to use this feature here.

5. Follow-Along

We’re also testing a “follow-along” feature on select titles. Follow-Along is an immersive visual experience that allows you to see time-synchronized illustrations, photos, and graphics (think: the supporting material usually included in paper books) as you listen to an audiobook. These listening enhancements that help contextualize a story are available in the “extras” section of the audiobook.

6. Audiobook playlists

Track all the books you want to read—old favorites, new discoveries—with our audiobook playlists. These curations can help you keep your library organized, and be a place for you to aggregate the audiobooks on your reading list. You’ll also find editorial playlists created by our audiobook team that highlight and categorize recommendations.

Now pull up your app and find your next audiobook obsession here.

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.

Spotify’s New Audiobooks Access Tier Gives Booklovers More Listening Options

March 1, 2024

Spotify is continuously innovating to provide the best possible offering for every kind of audio fan. Since launching Audiobooks in Premium, we’ve seen a 45% increase in free users searching for and interacting with Audiobook content each day. Now we are introducing a new plan option to give our listeners a variety of choices.

Starting today, the Audiobooks Access Tier provides booklovers in the U.S. with 15 hours of listening from our audiobooks catalog of over 200,000 titles for $9.99 a month. With this plan and in one app experience, listeners can continue to tune into music and podcasts on our free, ad-supported service, offering a great option for literary enthusiasts who are looking for more audiobook-specific content. 

Spotify offers several subscription plans tailored to fit a variety of users’ preferences and will continue to invest in giving our listeners more options to cater to their unique needs.

For more information on our available plans, visit our audiobooks page. To stay up-to-date on the latest news from Spotify, follow @SpotifyNews.    

Creators Kevin Norman and Hina Talk Romance Fiction, Audiobooks, and Finding Community Online

February 27, 2024

Be it a steamy contemporary novel, a charming historical romp, or fantasy with a passionate twist, romance holds a special place in many readers’ hearts. On Spotify, you can find audiobooks that cover everything from classic romance (hello, Pride and Prejudice) to viral modern picks (Red, White & Royal Blue, anyone?) and everything in between. With recommendations, curated playlists, and more, our on-platform Spicy Audiobooks hub is an easy way to start exploring.

This February, we’re celebrating romance audiobooks on Spotify with the help of authors like Ana Huang, as well as some of our favorite audiobook experts: Kevin Norman and Hina. For the Record caught up with Kevin and Hina to learn more about their love of reading, the power of social media, and their ideal spice level when it comes to romance novels.

Romance fiction is having a moment. Why is this genre so popular?

Kevin: People have always loved romance novels, but social media has given us a place to talk about them and introduce them to a whole bunch of new readers. As these videos go viral, they have a reach that book marketing never had before.

Hina: Part of why I think this genre is so popular right now is because we are still in the post-pandemic adjustment era. One of the consequences of the pandemic was a global shared feeling of loneliness. A lot of people turned to online spaces to feel the company of others, to feel less alone while we were locked away in our homes and the world was on pause. It makes sense to me that online communities boosted genres such as romance fiction given that collectively, we were all seeking something that made us feel like we could be in a world untouched by disaster.

Kevin, you helped curate editorial content for Spotify’s Spicy Audiobooks hub. Tell us about that experience—how did you determine your selections?

Kevin Norman

Kevin: It has been one of the most surreal opportunities I’ve had as a bookish content creator. I always saw those celebrity playlists, so it’s wild that I now have my own and get to share some of my favorite books. When making my selections, I wanted to be diverse in my choices and ensure I included a little of everything for everyone. I felt like this was an opportunity not just for me, but for all of us in the book community, so I didn’t want to only include books I’ve read and loved. This playlist is for all of us.

What do you hope listeners get out of the hub?

Kevin: I hope that new listeners will fall in love with reading and that they’ll discover their next favorite book. It’s a fantastic opportunity for people to explore a new genre and fall in love with my personal favorite way to read: audiobooks! I hope it spices up their lives, too.

From sweet (🌶️) to scorching hot (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️), where’s your sweet spot for romance fiction?

Hina: For me, between 1 and 2 is ample, and the book’s spice level is second to the plot. To feel invested in any book, I think the spice needs to feel like it has a purpose and isn’t the propeller of the plot itself.

Kevin: My sweet spot for a romance book is a 3! Not too hot, not too mild. It’s a perfect blend of spice, romance, and plot.

What romance novel would you recommend to someone totally new to the genre?

Kevin: I would pick something by Emily Henry. Her books are a great balance of romance and spice without being too overwhelming for someone new to the genre.

Hina: I really enjoyed Gideon the Ninth from the Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir. It’s a romantasy novel with a gothic atmosphere, a creative plot, queer love, and an interesting world. I’d call it “gays in space” if I had to rename it in three words. This was the first romance novel I had ever read, so it stands out to me. The strange relationship dynamics in this book were filled with tension and excitement. I remember how fast I turned the pages just to get to these moments of juiciness.

Hina

What do you love most about audiobooks?

Hina: One night I wanted to draw but also wanted to read, so I gave audiobooks a shot. My life changed forever. Now there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t listen to a book. I still love a physical book, but there’s something about having it read to me that has really charmed me. Hearing how the readers emote and read dialogue sections is particularly fascinating. Sometimes there’s a part of a book I’d read one way in my head, and then hearing it read in a different way can change the tone entirely.

Kevin: I love audiobooks because of how convenient they are for anyone who is busy and on the go. You can listen to them while you drive, cook, clean, etc. Plus, it makes books feel so immersive. My first audiobook experience was Harry Potter when I was in elementary school, and I have been obsessed with audiobooks ever since. Also, they help me focus. I love to read a physical book while listening to the audiobook for full immersion, and to cut out everyday distractions.

Any advice for people who want to get into—or get back into—reading?

Kevin: Honestly, audiobooks! I think they’re perfect for those who might think reading a physical book can be a little daunting. Whenever I feel like I’m in a reading slump, audiobooks always pull me out.

Hina: The most important thing about reading is that you read things that are interesting to you. No matter how much you like to read, you’re not going to enjoy reading something you’re not into. For me, I love sci-fi. Out of the hundreds of books I’ve read in my lifetime, I’d bet at least 70% are sci-fi. Ask yourself what kind of media or stories you like from other mediums, like film or TV. If you like historical movies, try historical fiction or period pieces. If you like documentaries, try nonfiction or memoirs. If you like video games, read books like Ready Player One or Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow. There’s a book for everyone.

Looking for a sizzling, swoony listen? Peruse Spotify’s Spicy Audiobooks hub.

Actor Noah LaLonde Talks Top Books and Bringing ‘My Life with the Walter Boys’ from Page to Screen

January 31, 2024

Noah LaLonde photo on top of a designed book cover

You may recognize Noah LaLonde from his role as Cole Walter in Netflix’s new teen drama My Life with the Walter Boys. On screen, his character is busy navigating high school life and love. Off camera, the Michigan native is just as busy. But despite his schedule, Noah still finds time to relax with a good book. And when he’s traveling or out for a long run, audiobooks have become a perfect hands-free companion.

For the Record caught up with Noah to learn more about his favorite reads and what it was like adapting My Life with the Walter Boys from page to screen.

With so much content out there to enjoy, when do you turn to books?

The answer to this question has really evolved for me over the years. Today, though, I try to turn to books every day. In the social media world we live in, I feel like I can always use a book to turn my brain on to start the day or off to get myself relaxed before bed. Everything around us moves so fast in our digital age so it’s nice to mute everything around me and get into the routine of focusing on a good book.

What book has had the biggest influence on you?

I’ve enjoyed so many different books in my life—so many that have had a tremendous impact on me. Two that have held specific importance to me during specific times in my life are The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.

The Power of Now came at a time when I really needed to remember that life is only what we ever have at this moment, and that any accomplishment isn’t worth it unless we enjoy every step of the journey. Greenlights highlighted that, as an artist, each part of our own story is worth fully embracing, as it can contribute to letting us access our full selves and can enable us to be able to share that with the world. 

What do you enjoy most about audiobooks?

I mostly enjoy the accessibility. There have been periods in my life when I’m too pressed for time to read a physical book. But I’m always running or walking or working out or driving somewhere, and an audiobook has proved to be the perfect companion for me during all of those things. Plus, sometimes, hearing the author read their own work adds an element to the experience and in helping me to connect with the material. Matthew McConaughey reading Greenlights is a perfect example of that.

What audiobook are you currently listening to?

Jay Shetty’s Think Like a Monk. I’m actually about to finish it. I’ve followed Jay for a while now, but listening to this audiobook has been the most immersed I’ve ever been in his work, and I’ve loved it. It’s been great to knock out a couple chapters during some of my long runs. 

Any advice you have for someone wanting to spend more time reading or with books?

Start slow. I’m talking 10 pages of a book or 10 minutes of an audiobook at a time. If you try to bite off more than you can chew to start, I feel like the odds of continuing the activity go way down. Find something you really like and give yourself the freedom to have the time to enjoy the process. I find the more we curate our positive habits to our liking, the better odds we have for developing and ultimately enjoying and sticking to them in the long run.

Name your top 5 must-reads.

A very hard question. I could spend hours on this…I already mentioned Greenlights and The Power of Now, but what else comes to mind and in no particular order…

Your series, My Life with the Walter Boys, is an adaptation of a novel. Did you read the book before starting the project? 

I did! One of the first things I did after receiving the news that I booked the project was to read the book. Knowing the number of people that have read the book, it felt like a bit of pressure bringing Cole Walter to life. But ultimately, you prepare as much as you can and let all the pressure go. It’s an honor at the end of the day.  

If you could be the narrator or voice actor for the audiobook version of any novel, what book would it be? 

So many come to mind that I really can’t pick. I’ll say this: I’ve been journaling a lot of my life. I would love to one day put all of those together and write a story of my own about what I’ve seen and what I’ve been through. Some of the times I’ve felt most connected to a text is when reading a memoir of an actor I’ve looked up to, or someone else who feels very connected to their own story, one that I can garner inspiration from. All that to say, I’d love to narrate my own story, or any book I’d be lucky enough to be a part of. Stay tuned.

 

Next time you’re ready to pick up a book, try pressing play on one of the many audiobooks available on Spotify. 

Credit for photo used in the design: Exavier Castro