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The Dharma Bums
Jack Kerouac
Nothing says “hip winter book club pick” like Jack Kerouac’s iconic novel The Dharma Bums, that literary chaser to the shot that was On the Road. And who better to read the audiobook than actor and writer Ethan Hawke? Add this listen to your commute playlist and you’ll feel like a dangerously cool cat—don’t forget to bring your shades.
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Lost Children Archive
Valeria Luiselli
If you’re craving timely, unconventional new fiction, Lost Children Archive may already be on your list. The audio production is especially unique: read by multiple narrators including the author, it includes soundscapes of visual elements used in the book, and the result is a spectacular.
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One of Us Is Next
Karen M. McManus
Attention YA crossover fans: the sequel to the New York Times bestselling thriller One of Us Is Lying (which Entertainment Weekly called “Pretty Little Liars meets The Breakfast Club”) is here, and it’s read by a full cast on audio. Press play on this new mystery set at Bayview High, where a deadly game is afoot.
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Mr. Nobody
Catherine Steadman
If I’m not listening to a psychological thriller in the deep midwinter, I get cranky. If you’re of the same mindset, you may become seriously addicted to Mr. Nobody—the next audiobook written and read by actress and bestselling author Catherine Steadman, whose voice is a perfect match for her suspenseful, twisty plots.
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The Other People
C. J. Tudor
While we’re talking thrillers, let’s talk C.J. Tudor’s The Other People—read by actor Richard Armitage (who also narrated Tudor’s previous audiobook, The Hiding Place). Queue this one up when you’re heading to the gym and need that extra push of motivation to get you through.
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Long Bright River
Liz Moore
Major book club pick alert. Long Bright River is a literary crime novel featuring two estranged sisters and set against the backdrop of the opioid crisis in Philadelphia. If you love psychological suspense and discussion-worthy book club picks, then get a jump on this one—you’ll be riveted by Allyson Ryan’s narration and ready to discuss the many intricacies of the plot at your next gathering.
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My Name Is Lucy Barton (Dramatic Production)
Elizabeth Strout
Calling all Broadway fans! Don’t miss this original audiobook performance of the stage production of My Name is Lucy Barton, starring Academy Award and Tony nominee Laura Linney. Coming to Broadway after a highly acclaimed UK run in 2018, this is a unique opportunity to hear Laura Linney’s superb performance of this haunting, dramatic monologue—right in your earbuds.
Since we’re all readers here, I assume it’s safe to admit that I have—on occasion—cast a frightened glance at my teetering to-be-read pile and whispered, “et tu, books?” Staying on top of a healthy reading habit can daunting, especially in times like this.
Enter this month’s good-for-geeks tip: listening to audiobooks, which pairs beautifully with almost all New Year’s resolutions. You can cook a new recipe while listening to Ethan Hawke read The Dharma Bums, run a mile with the new C.J. Tudor thriller playing in your ears, or catch up on your next book club pick when you’re lounging on the couch (it’s gotta be Long Bright River). Learn more about these and other upcoming must-listens that will leave you ahead of the curve—and craving more.
Featured Image: @barrelofthelens/Twenty20