8 New Audiobooks for Summer

Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style by Paul Rudnick
Read by Daniel Henning

14 hours, 18 minutes

Rudnick’s fictional memoir of Nate, a neurotic wannabe playwright from New Jersey, is an exuberant, unapologetic celebration of gay life. The story is centered around Nate’s love affair with a stunningly handsome, wealthy man he meets at Yale (the titular Farrell Covington), and follows their subsequent decades together. It’s witty, explosive and life affirming. Henning narrates it in an over-the-top theatrical manner appropriate to the drama of the tale.

The Librarianist by Patrick deWitt
Read by Jim Meskimen

10 hours, 2 minutes

In this tribute to reading, books, libraries and the people who love them, listeners meet retired librarian Bob Comet, whose seemingly uneventful life in Portland, Oregon, is rich with kindnesses, challenges and triumphs. His routine is altered when, during his morning walk, he encounters a lost woman, returns her to her care home and surprises himself by volunteering there. Meskimen portrays Bob with heartbreak and humor, though every character is relatable and endearing in this gem of a novel, which has a deeply moving conclusion.

The Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren
Read by Jessica Marie Garcia, Harry Shum Jr. and a full cast

4 hours, 47 minutes

This robustly produced romance is an audio original, written by Christina Lauren — the pen name of author duo Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. Its focus is Ami, who’s had a rough go of her divorce and believes her failed marriage is a family curse. She wants to make sure everything goes well at her sister’s wedding (everyone got sick from food poisoning at her own disastrous wedding reception), so she reluctantly accepts the help of her brother-in-law’s best man, a carefree surfer. It’s a fun story, with each character’s dialogue delivered by a different actor. Sound effects enhance the action without overshadowing the narrative. (Out Aug. 1, 2023)

The White Lady by Jacqueline Winspear
Read by Orlagh Cassidy

10 hours, 6 minutes

Fans of Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs series will be intrigued to discover a brave new heroine, Elinor White. The story jumps in time from White’s current life in Britain in 1947 to her recruitment in the Belgian Resistance as an adolescent during World War I and her work as an SOE agent in the fight against Nazi Germany. Narrator Cassidy brings a keen ear for British accents and nuance to each character’s personality.

The Wisdom of Morrie: Living and Aging Creatively & Joyfully by Morrie Schwartz, edited by Rob Schwartz  
Read by Steven Weber, Rob Schwartz (foreword)

7 hours, 32 minutes

The late Morrie Schwartz was the subject of Mitch Albom’s hugely best-selling 1997 book Tuesdays With Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life’s Greatest Lesson. Actor Steven Weber narrates Schwartz’s guide to aging, edited by Schwartz’s son Rob and rich with the author’s timeless wisdom. With moving personal stories and observations, Morrie invites listeners to age proactively and live authentically, filling their later years with joy and loving connections.

Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke
Read by MacLeod Andrews, Michael Crouch, Dana Gourrier, Marin Ireland, January LaVoy, Ray Porter, James Lee Burke [Epilogue]

8 hours, 53 minutes

Edgar award-winner Burke tells the story of an enslaved woman on the run in Louisiana after she’s been accused of murder, as the Civil War roils the South. But this dark, transporting novel also includes all manner of humanity, including a ragtag collection of Union and Rebel soldiers, enslavers and a deranged colonel leading a band of marauding Confederate killers. An ensemble of six talented narrators tell their stories, which neatly intertwine.

You can also check out the audio versions of other hot new summer books we’ve highlighted, both fiction and nonfiction.