Stephanie Cannon narrates this audiobook, which moves between 1955 and 2017. Amid the 1950s Lavender Scare, when mass firings of gays from government jobs took place, Janet discovers a lesbian pulp fiction novel, and it opens up new worlds for her. Sixty-two years later, Abby is an out-and-proud lesbian coping with her parents' imploding marriage. The juxtaposition of these intertwining stories highlights the incredible changes lesbian communities have undergone in 60-plus years. Cannon gives both teens a subtle mid-Atlantic accent, reflecting their shared home of Washington, DC. Other characters have distinct voices, though, interestingly, Janet's and Abby's love interests are both given a similar high-pitched voice. Talley's storytelling elevates what could have felt like a history lesson. Cannon's engaging narration ensures that listeners will dive right into these teens' intertwining stories and not want them to end.
(Fiction. 13-18)Pub Date: Nov. 13, 2018
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781488205385
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Listeners follow Merry, the longbow girl, one of the best archers in her town. When she finds a magical portal in the forest that takes her back to sixteenth-century Wales, she must use her skills to win an archery contest in order to help her ancestors keep their land. While narrator Emily Wilden brings protagonist Merry to life with a rich Welsh accent, her narration seems uneven at times. All the period characters have accents that reflect the setting of the story and transport listeners to Wales. Listeners who enjoy historical fiction and a bit of fantasy will be charmed by this tale of determination, hope, and family.
Young AdultPub Date: N/A
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501916793
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
In 1832 thirteen-year-old Charlotte Doyle is sailing from Liverpool to Rhode Island to rejoin her family. Shocked to discover that the families who were to have been both guardians and companions will not accompany her, Charlotte embarks on a journey filled with terror and swashbuckling adventure. The first-person narrative makes this Newbery Honor book a wonderful choice for recording. O'Karma's reading, with its hint of cross-gender differentiation, allows the listener to feel as if Charlotte Doyle herself were relating the tale. This story should be particularly alluring to adolescent girls although the fast-paced action and the nautical setting will also appeal to male listeners. Ages 12-adult.
Ages 12+Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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