“Audiobooks aren’t really reading.” Unfortunately, this phrase may be something you’ve come across and if you listen closely enough, you can hear the Dreamscape team screaming in our audio recording booths. But, as the French say, c’est la vie.
Did you know June is Audiobook Appreciation Month? It was started by the Audio Publisher’s Association (APA) as a way to bring awareness and engagement to the format. Audiobooks are wonderful (and we’re not just saying that cause we’re an audiobook publisher). Audiobooks can be a lifesaver for people who may be unable to sit down and read — maybe you’re too busy, or are not able to focus on written formats, or maybe you simply prefer audiobooks — no matter the reason, audiobooks are a holy grail for many people because audiobooks are an accessible way to read. You can adjust your listening speed to whatever suits your unique brain the best and can listen while doing daily tasks, whether that be cleaning, cooking, or something else.
And we couldn’t celebrate audiobooks without acknowledging the wonderful narrators and producers that enhance the audio listening experience — whether that be a large scale production with a full-cast of narrators, dual narration, or graphic audio editions that are so immersive it feels like your in the middle of a movie — there are so many different productions of audiobooks to appreciate! We encourage everyone to share how they love to audiobook this month. And if someone says “audiobooks don’t count” to you, well, you likely wouldn’t even hear them as you’ll be too busy listening to all the audiobooks on your TBR!
Celebrate the occasion by pressing play on an audiobook — now and all year long. Read on for some of our June releases that would make for great listens to start the celebration off right!
Want to keep the fun celebrations going? Follow us on socials for more fun audiobook content and enter for a chance to win 12 audiobooks AND apple airpods! >
A Botanist’s Guide to Society and Secrets
Written by Kate Khavari, narrated by Jodie Harris
Releases June 4!
Brilliant botanist Saffron Everleigh is ready for her next thrilling adventure in this mesmerizing historical mystery perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Sujata Massey.
London, 1923. Returning from Paris, botanical researcher Saffron Everleigh finds that the brother of her former love interest Alexander is being investigated for the murder of a Russian scientist working for the English government.
As if a murder case weren’t enough, her best friend Elizabeth’s war-hero brother, Nick, arrives in town and takes an immediate interest in Saffron. Saffron learns Alexander has been keeping secrets from her, including a connection to Nick, who Saffron and Elizabeth begin to suspect is more than he seems.
When another scientist is found dead, Saffron goes undercover at the government laboratory. Risking her career and her safety, she learns there are many more interested parties and dangerous secrets to uncover than she’d realized. But some secrets, Saffron will find, are better left undiscovered.
The Curse of Sins
Written by Kate Dramis, narrated by Devon Sorvari
Releases June 25!
After discovering she is the Second Saint fated to save her realm, Aya’s duty should be clear: return to her home kingdom to serve her Queen, Gianna, in the coming war against the kingdom of Kakos, whose pursuit of dark magic could bring the realm to its knees.
But with Aya unsure of how her power is to defeat dark magic and suspicious of just how far Gianna will go to stop Kakos, it isn’t long until Aya’s very purpose is brought into question. Can she and Will, her blood-sworn enemy-turned-ally, find the truth before dark magic consumes her realm entirely?
And with betrayal lurking around every corner, is there anyone Aya can truly trust?
The second book in rising BookTok star Kate Dramis’s adult fantasy debut series is an enchanting romantic story perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Jennifer Armentrout.
Hearts on Thin Ice
Written by Katie Kennedy, narrated by Scarlett Everdeen and Nick Mondelli
Releases June 18!
A pro hockey player falls for an interior designer in this charming debut sports romance for fans of Icebreaker and Set On You.
Nick Sorensen had once been one of the fastest men in hockey—until the devastating plane crash that took the lives of his best friends, leaving him the only survivor. Now he’s physically ready to get back on the ice, but his coach is concerned Nick isn’t doing well mentally. Case in point? Nick’s apartment is completely empty. To prove he’s fine, Nick hires Alyssa Compton, an up-and-coming interior designer, to decorate his space.
Alyssa’s thrilled at the chance to prove herself to her demanding boss—and finally create a home for herself too. But Nick turns out to be impossible to work with, and just when Alyssa decides to throw in the towel on the whole thing, Nick shows up for her in a way she never could have expected. The icy path ahead of these two lost souls may be slippery and cracking, but when it comes to love, sometimes all you need is someone on your team.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
Written by John LeCarre, narrated by Simon Vance
Releases June 25!
Pulled out of (forced) retirement by his old protégé, Peter Guillam, George Smiley must determine who among the high command at the British Secret Intelligence Service is in fact a Soviet spy—one who’s been climbing their way up the ranks for decades. The stakes are high: the mole is behind more than one failed operation and has lain waste to some of their best informant networks.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, following the events of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, introduces Smiley’s Soviet counterpart and nemesis, Karla, the head of Soviet foreign intelligence. One of John le Carré’s most enduring works, the 2011 feature film adaptation (starring Gary Oldman and Colin Firth) received three Oscar nominations and won two BAFTAs, including Outstanding British Film.
Check out more of John Le Carre’s work here >
Calling all sci-fi, fantasy and litRPG listeners! Don’t think we forgot about you nerds. Level up your Audiobook Appreciation Month celebrations and press play on a new out-of-this-world audiobook.
Want to join Dreamscape in our Audiobook Month celebrations? Enter chance to win 12 SFF audiobooks AND a wireless gaming headset from Alienware! >
Dawn of the Density God
Written by ToraAKR, narrated by J.S. Arquin
Releases June 25!
A planet stuck on hard mode set to devour everyone on its surface. Jiran is just a child when he receives shattered, imperfect memories of a past life. Nestled inside these emotionless visions is a magic very different to the density and mana he knows, the magic of science.
The empire stands alone against the relentless beasts of Madra. Their only means of survival is harnessing the density that saturates her surface, a magic they cannot possibly understand. Will Jiran realize he holds the key to unlocking humanity’s infinite potential before they are all wiped out?
A slow burn cultivation LitRPG with a magic system that will blow your socks off—or your arm, or both your legs. Who knew magic + science could be so explosive?
Terminal Pursuit
Written by Anthony J. Melchiorri, narrated by Paul Heitsch
Releases June 18!
After a group of intergalactic poachers steal Fin’s dog, he spearheads an investigation into the sinister black-market weapons ring run by criminal syndicate Acheron. Fin, along with Renata, Drake, and Audrey embark on a perilous journey to stop Acheron’s poaching activities. They race across the stars into Levotis Empire space, navigating treacherous planetary systems, corrupt governments, and vile conglomerates hell-bent on profit no matter the cost.
But the crew discovers Acheron is involved in a conspiracy that transcends poaching innocent extraterrestrial animals and sentient beings. The syndicate is on the brink of unleashing a technology with catastrophic potential. This tech threatens the tenuous peace upheld by the Union of Intergalactic Accord. As newly employed Rangers, Fin and the crew plunge headlong into the lion’s den on an undercover mission fraught with danger. They will have to risk everything to uncover Acheron’s nefarious activities—and of course, save Jacques.
Terminal Pursuit is Book 2 in a rollicking sci-fi adventure from Anthony J. Melchiorri. It’s perfect for fans of J.N. Chaney, M.R. Forbes, and Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Rakesfall
Written by Vajra Chandrasekera, narrated by Shiromi Arserio
Releases June 18!
Annelid and Leveret met as children in the middle of the Sri Lankan civil war. They found each other in a torn-up nation, peering through propaganda to grasp a deeper truth. And in a demon-haunted wood, another act of violence linked them and propelled their souls on a journey throughout the ages. No world can hold them, no life can bind them, and they’ll never leave each other behind.
As Annelid and Leveret reincarnate ever deeper into the future, they will chase the edge of human possibility.
Tracing two souls through endless lifetimes, Rakesfall is a virtuosic exploration of what stories can be, a dark sci-fi epic unlike any that has come before.
