Staff Picks: Our Memorial Day Weekend Listens
Memorial Day Weekend! The official kick-off to summer that brings to mind ice cream cones, dips in the water, and some time off to marathon audiobooks in the sun.
Overwhelmed by the options on your to-listen-list? Our resident audiobook savants (aka the PRH Audio staff) shared some of their standout recent listens as well as what they’ll personally be listening to over the long weekend. Adjust your playlist accordingly, apply the SPF, and have a ball.
Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick
My pick is Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick (on sale 5/26). I hope to listen to this cozy romance while sitting poolside. 🌞😎–Marissa, Marketing Manager
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe
I’ve been a fan of Patrick Radden Keefe’s books since Say Nothing, and the level of complexity and journalistic rigor he brings to London Falling both met and went beyond my expectations. The story begins with what seems like a tragic but isolated event, and then little by little, Radden Keefe reveals a grotesque ecosystem of criminality in contemporary London that is propped up by unchecked wealth and power. It’s a disconcerting listen, and one with implications that go beyond the immediate narrative – highly recommend. –Becca, Assistant Director, Marketing
The Open Era by Edward Schmit
I’ll be spending Memorial Day Weekend soaking up the sun poolside and getting some swimming in. To continue the sports theme, I’ll be listening to The Open Era by Edward Schmit when I’m not under the water. There’s no better way to kick off summer than a hot tennis romance! —Kayla, Publicist
Five by Ilona Bannister
I just started listening to Five by Ilona Bannister which I’ve been describing as “POV: you’re in the trolley problem.” I’m excited to dig in while working on some embroidery over the weekend. It’s an interesting narrative approach, so I’m looking forward to see how the story executes the concept… and one of the characters. —Miranda, Sr. Associate, Paid Media Strategy and Ad Operations
The Arcane Arts by S.D. Coverly
I’ll be listening to The Arcane Arts by S.D. Coverly, narrated by Alina Sofia and Sean Masters with Will Damron and Stevi Incremona, in my headphones for sure. It’s not the safest for family or friend gatherings, but it is a delicious treat for your ears when you’ve got some alone time in between socializing or a light nap between meals. It’s got all the things: magic, mystery, and spicy romance! —Amber, Producer
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
When my long weekend is a stay-cation, I want a listen that is truly transporting—and Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Tainted Cup fits the bill perfectly. Set in a rich and complex fantasy world—in which magically augmented people secure the Empire of Khanum’s sea walls from breaches by massive beings known as leviathans—The Tainted Cup follows the brilliant but eccentric detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol as they investigate the murder of a military officer. The weapon? A tree that sprouted from inside his body. As Ana and Din work to solve the mystery, their investigation raises more questions than answers. Will they be able to solve this murder before more lives are put at risk? Andrew Fallaize’s rich performance brings the characters and world of this fantastical mystery to life. —Brian, Associate, Marketing & Publicity
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey
I started listing to The Inner Game of Tennis recently hoping it might help with my increasingly inconsistent pickleball serve, but I’m finding it’s about much more than sports. This classic has been recommended for decades because of its simple but powerful lesson: our bodies know what to do; it’s our minds that interfere and make a mess of things. It’s a great Memorial Day weekend listen for anyone hitting the courts, the golf course, or just looking to get out of your own way a little more often. —Heather, Vice President, Marketing
Strangers, Famesick, and The Correspondent
I just listened to Strangers, followed by Famesick. And following the trend of highly discussed titles, I’m hoping to finally listen to The Correspondent, which has been referred to as “required listening” by many. My ideal would be to listen while knitting outside in a park on a warm afternoon! —Denise, Executive Producer
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
This Memorial Day weekend I’ll be moving, so while I’m packing, unpacking, and driving between apartments, I’ll be rotating between audiobooks depending on my mood. I’m such a mood listener that I usually have multiple audiobooks downloaded at once. I’m basically using the tediousness of moving as an excuse to finally catch up on listens for my book club. Yesteryear is my July book club pick. Everyone is talking about this book right now, so I’m excited to hear it. It was also just announced that Anne Hathaway will play the main character in the movie adaptation. After recently watching Devil Wears Prada 2, I’m fully in my Anne Hathaway era again. —Alexis, Associate Director, Marketing
I’m listening to Yesteryear. I am hoping to wash down the inevitable feeling of schadenfreude watching the antiheroine’s demise with a tall glass of bubbling Hefeweizen with a wedge of orange and a bbq-ed skewer of meat. The mix of comedy with a dash of existential tragedy is absurdly addicting. Why not? — Ok Hee, Vice President, Post Production & Technology
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan
I love Annabel Monaghan’s sweet romances so I’m looking forward to diving into her newest one while literally doing nothing except relaxing in the hammock in my backyard while my husband handles our Memorial Day weekend BBQ! —Tara, Director, Marketing
Young World by Soman Chainani
My Memorial Day listen will be Young World by Soman Chainani. A 17-year-old boy inadvertently becomes president and causes a global youth movement, setting the stage for a international political thriller. The hardcover book is highly visual, and the producers of the audiobook brought together a full cast, led by Zeno Robinson, and careful sound-scaping to create an immersive and addicting audiobook adaptation. I can’t wait to finish listening as I walk the hills of my new home city of San Francisco during the long weekend. —Kate, Senior Publicist
I’ll be listening to Young World by Soman Chainani by the pool this Memorial Day weekend (if weather allows!). I know our audio team adapted the newspaper articles and social media posts from the book into audible social media videos and tv news segments, and I’m excited to finally hear it! —Dakota, Marketing Manager
The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne
I’ll be spending my weekend listening to The Midnight Show—a full-cast audiobook that’s incredibly easy to get into. Perfect for fans of The Favorites and Daisy Jones, it’s a genuinely fun ride from start to finish. —Kirby, Associate Producer
