Dear Book Lovers,
As we speak, I am listening to Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It’s one of the most acclaimed audiobooks of recent years, and much of its success comes from Charlie Thurston‘s performance, whose narration captures the wit, grit and emotional depth of the story’s Appalachian protagonist.
The novel is a modern reimagining of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, set in the mountains of southwest Virginia during the opioid epidemic. It follows Demon, a boy born into poverty, as he navigates foster care, addiction, love, loss and resilience. Told entirely in Demon’s first-person voice, the story is both heartbreaking and darkly funny, and the audiobook has provided incredible entertainment while I’ve been driving.
Are you in need of some entertainment during your summer activities? Whether you’re bored at the poolside or in need of some narration for your road-trip adventure, here are two more audiobooks I think are worth a listen this summer.
When actress and soon-to-be divorcee Tatum receives a script from screenwriter and estranged husband Ben, she isn’t sure what to think — especially once she begins to read and realizes it’s a recounting of their relationship. Skipping back and forth in time, the scenes range from the promising beginnings of their love story through the bitter end; it’s all there on paper. But why has Ben sent the script to her? Is he threatening to air her dirty laundry to the public, or does he have other intentions?
A nuanced exploration of love, ambition and the erosion of a relationship, Allison Winn Scotch‘s Between Me and You pulls the listener in with its cinematic storytelling and top-tier production. Featuring the vocal talent of Jurnee Smollett (Lovecraft Country), Jack Falahee (How to Get Away with Murder) and Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once), the Audible Originals audiobook is an adaptation of the novel of the same name and is co-written by screenwriter Pete Chiarelli (The Proposal, Crazy Rich Asians).
Interested? Between You and Me is free for the members of your book club to download, exclusively through the BookTrib Book Club Network.
Looking for a listen that focuses more on the messy realities of friendship? Jenny Jackson’s new release, The Shampoo Effect, is out now in audiobook, and it’s a must-download for those who enjoy some juicy gossip in their beach reads. When protagonist Caroline arrives in the New England seaside town of Greenhead, she soon falls head over heels for local-boy Van and his loyal posse of childhood friends turned unwilling adults. But the friend group’s delicate balance is completely upended when one of them — not Caroline — discovers that she’s pregnant with Van’s baby. In the ensuing upheaval, Caroline is kicked out of the group, and the vicious revenge she unleashes will have repercussions throughout Greenhead.
Sole narrator Marin Ireland breathes further life into an already three-dimensional cast of characters. The result is an entertainingly funny and insightful listen that asks what it means to grow and change alongside those who have known the most disastrous, immature versions of ourselves.
More in a reading mood for this story? Check out our review of the book here.
Did you know that according to the Audio Publishers Association, the U.S. audiobook industry has experienced more than 15 consecutive years of annual growth, with sales reaching $2.43 billion in 2025, up 9% from the previous year? And today, an estimated 58% of American adults — about 157 million people — have listened to an audiobook, reflecting how mainstream the format has become.
As you know, audiobooks are no longer simply an alternative to printed books; they have become a preferred way for millions to absorb knowledge, stay inspired and make the most of their time. I love books in a variety of formats, and audiobooks have become a favorite.
Happy listening and reading!
Love,
Meryl Moss, Publisher, BookTrib
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