Media Madness

“Hot” Audio Book Series for Summer Listening

Whether they are from books, movies (Star Wars, Star Trek), or TV soap operas; what could be better than listening or watching the continuing trials and tribulations of your favorite characters?  Here are a few outstanding series on compact disc audio books for every age level at the Henrietta Public Library.

Every summer our patrons look forward to taking vacations with a favorite audio book reader or author.  One of the most popular series is Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. This zany, laugh out loud series is about an ex-lingerie buyer turned bounty-hunter and she’s back in Sizzling Sixteen.  Stephanie’s newest adventure involves Cousin Vinnie and an enormous debt he owes!  How many cars will Stephanie destroy in this new tale? The Stephanie Plum series is read by two different readers, C.J. Critt and Lorelei King – some fans have a preference for which reader they like the most – give them a try!

Young adults have grown up with the Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, the Narnia Chronicles and the Twilight series, but I have just discovered a great performer as she reads the Bloody Jack adventures by L.A. Meyer. Her name is Katherine Kellgren and she has won the Audie Award many times for her portrayal of the irrepressible “Bloody Jack” Mary Faber a young girl who disguises herself as a ship’s boy on HMS Dolphin. The first title, Bloody Jack: being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary “Jacky” Faber, Ship’s Boy introduces Jacky. Ms. Kellgren’s narration of Jacky’s cockney accent propels the story; one scene has Jacky crying and hiccupping at the same time! The eighth title in this series comes out in September!

Children of all ages have many favorite characters that have come alive in audio books. Besides the early Harry Potter books, there are the Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief series read admirably by Jesse Bernstein, Anne of Green Gables, the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett, Magic Tree House series read by their author Mary Pope Osbourne, and the Chronicles of Narnia. All of these series can be listened to by the whole family during your summer travels.

These are just a few of the series titles by major authors that the Henrietta Public Library owns. Fall in love with characters like Alex Cross, Dirk Pitt, Claire and Jamie Fraser or Precious Ramotswe all over again with each new story. Once again be sure to come to the Henrietta Public Library and “check us out”!

Nancy Maxwell      
Audio-Visual Librarian