What We’re Reading: June ‘26
Plus, it's Audiobook Month, aka the best month ever 😉
May 6, 2026
*Pauses audiobook*
Audiobook readers, it’s our time to shine. June is Audiobook Month, and I’m as giddy as I am in the lead up to Indie Bookstore Day. Despite some people still claiming audiobooks aren’t “really” reading (they very much are), the audiobook market shows no sign of slowing down. More and more folks are turning to audiobooks, and more publishers are making audiobook editions of their releases (yay, accessibility!).
As part of our celebration, 175 Libro.fm bookselling partners are hosting audiobook themed events this month. And when I reviewed all the event details, I was filled with the longing to go to every single one. A Wicked Read Books in Canton, Texas is hosting a book bedazzling night, where attendees will enjoy their audiobooks and bedazzle a physical book. The Bookshelf in Thomasville, GA will build community over watercoloring, wine, and audiobooks. Morgan’s Hollow in Monett, MO has created an audiobook spa night with face masks and massages. And plenty of stores are hosting audiobook walks. There are also more than 30 Silent Book Club chapters across the U.S. participating!
I mentioned this last month, and I will say it again: audiobooks build community. You can find all the events taking place this June on our landing page.
If you can’t make one of these events in person, we’re hosting a global audiobook walk on June 13. Wherever you are, however you can (walking is not required), set some time aside to enjoy your audiobook. Not sure how to get started? We recently shared some tips.
And, because it’s Audiobook Month, isn’t that the perfect excuse to grab some great new reads? Scroll on for the latest recommendations from our bookselling partners, and we hope to see you at a celebration this month!
A quick note: Please know that we will never monetize this newsletter. We are aware of and in opposition to Substack’s content moderation policies, and will actively monitor for alternative options.
Hot bookseller recs
Who better to suggest your next read than our partners? Here are a few of our booksellers’ most recommended audiobooks over the past month. Browse all their picks.
🎧 The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer, narrated by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
“This whimsical witchy fantasy enchanted me from beginning to end. Rainy March is a book witch that has the ability to jump into books to fix them…There are rules, and of course, Rainy is going to break them all.” —Suzanne, The Underground Bookshop
🎧 How Queer Bookshops Changed the World by A.J. West, narrated by A.J. West
“This book does what the best nonfiction should: it pushes readers to dig deeper into the stories of those who fought tirelessly to put queer literature into the public’s hands.” —Hailey, Three Avenues Bookshop
And, while we’re on the subject—here are LGBTQIA+ owned bookshops to support all year long 💗
Upcoming reads for your radar
Here are some forthcoming releases our bookselling partners are raving about. Consider pre-ordering them! Pre-orders benefit the author and booksellers, and will show up in your library on release day.
🎧 Fabulous Bodies by Chuck tingle, narrated by Mara Wilson
“A raucous, bloody adventure. No one does body horror the way Chuck Tingle does body horror…Fabulous Bodies explores bodily autonomy, art, survival, sacrifice, and love. It is horrifically entertaining, and when I finished it, I ran over and hugged my kids. This book proves love.” —Ryan, Gibson’s Bookstore
🎧 Die for Me by Shirlene Obuobi, narrated by Arissa Evans
“This was unlike anything I’ve ever read, yet it reminded me of one of my favorite sci-fi authors in the best way! The romance was so well done, the push and pull between the characters had me on the edge of my seat, and the unraveling of the mystery and the eeriness you feel through Sean’s character realizing what’s truly going on, had my stomach in knots.” —Kate, Canvasback Books
Backlist buzz
These reads may have been out for a while, but are definitely still worth your attention. Not only do our bookselling partners love them, but they’re also on our bestselling list!
🎧 Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, narrated by Robin Wall Kimmerer
“This book is life-changing and world-changing. It is the type of book you borrow from your neighbor, you loan to your friend, you share with a parent…Robin Wall Kimmerer dares us to reexamine our relationships to science, reconsider our ideals of community, and revisit how to cultivate the world we want to share with future (and past) generations.” —Izzy, Autumn Leaves
Braiding Sweetgrass has been on Libro.fm’s bestselling list for years now. A bookseller favorite, Book Riot’s Zero to Well-Read recently did a great dive into how this book became a word-of-mouth sensation!
🎧 A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping by Sangu Mandanna, narrated by Samara MacLaren
“I loved this entertaining, slightly unhinged romp through magical Britain! This book manages to be cozy and lighthearted without erasing the difficult parts of life. This story confronts injustice with hope, whimsy, and an irrepressible sense of humor.” —Zoe, Russell Books
Playlists to explore
🏳️🌈 Summer Lovin’: Curated by Women & Children First in Chicago, IL, “let’s celebrate Pride Month with lots of queer romance!”
📚 Big Books for the Season: There are tonsss of great reads coming out in the coming months. Get excited.
🫂 Rest, Reflection & Radical Joy: “This collection is for the listener who needs room to breathe, heal, laugh, reflect, and return to themselves.” Curated by SOA Co. Books, in Houston, Texas.
What we’re reading on audio
Last month, the Libro.fm book club met to discuss Solito by Javier Zamora, narrated by the author. The book follows Zamora’s journey from El Salvador into the States alone as a child.
As Maddie from A Great Good Place for Books writes, “This memoir highlights the unimaginable difficulties that immigrants face when trying to cross into the States from Mexico. Despite being a story of obstacles and adversity, in my mind, it is really a story about love, compassion, and how the human heart knows no bounds.”
See all of our team’s favorites.
You don’t need headphones for these…
Things around the internet our team is sharing.
🧑🔬 A new study has found that “if you actively listen to music, read a book or look at art at least once per week, you may live longer than those who don’t.” Goodbye “anti-aging” skincare, hello even more book hauls from my indie bookstore.
👀 The Guardian put together their top 100 novels published in English. They last did this in 2015, and things have (kind of) changed. Thoughts?
🚫 There are now three bills in the House and Senate that could impact the freedom to read. Our friends at the American Booksellers Association have a helpful page where you can learn more and take action.
We’d love to hear from you! Will you be celebrating Audiobook Month? Let us know what you’re reading in the comments.
And if you have a friend that would like this newsletter, why not send it their way?
Thanks again for reading! Feel free to now return to your audiobook.
*Presses play*
Coming to you from San Francisco, this newsletter is written by me, Olivia Butze—hi! As the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, you’ll find me running our social media accounts, creating brand campaigns, and working on all things email related. I’m passionate about storytelling as a catalyst for societal change, and my favorite activities include long audiobook walks, drinking matcha lattes, and reading in Golden Gate Park.
Currently listening to The Book Witch and I'm such a fan!!! 🎧🤗
What a great month!