As a "leaper," Josie Taylor is turning 16 on her fourth birthday. Listeners follow Josie, whose part is read by Julia Gibson, as she lives through her extra special day. In the second half of each chapter, read by Johanna Parker, listeners get a peek into the lives of the people around Josie. Parker's omniscient narration of major and minor characters breathes life into the novel and creates momentum in the plot. The descriptions of life in Orlando, Florida, so near to Disney World, add texture to the story. Parker's reading is an excellent counterpart to Gibson's fresh, youthful performance.
Pub Date: 2004
Duration: 6 hrs
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
With meticulous diction and heartfelt passion, Ruffin Prentiss narrates a timely story that brings multiple critical social issues together in a riveting presentation. Just as he's about to get a coveted basketball scholarship for college, Ossie Brown's life is upended when he falls on the court and tears his ACL. As he tries to reinvent himself as a writer and scholar, the predominantly white affluent population of his school starts to fight against its "woke" reading list. Events escalate from there. Prentiss uses tone to build intensity as the situation heats up, and his variations in pitch and accent help listeners immerse themselves in the story. Prentiss narrates both the tender and heated moments with skill that will keep listeners engaged.
(Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 11 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9798897563517
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
January LaVoy pulls listeners into a world in which motives are unclear. Jordyn, a first-year student at a historically Black college, finds her roommate's brother--just out of prison--sleeping on their couch. While he soon wows their friends with his outgoing personality, Jordyn senses that something about him is off, big-time. LaVoy's ability to shift seamlessly between cool confidence, vulnerable self-doubt, and simmering menace adds layers of complexity to the central character, keeping the listener guessing where the truth ends and manipulation begins. LaVoy's nuanced timing heightens moments of suspense, while her emotional depth grounds the narrative in authenticity. The result is an immersive audio experience that amplifies the tension and intrigue.
(Thriller. 15-adult)Pub Date: 2025
Duration: 9 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063271302
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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