Audiobook Listening Trends and More News for Library Workers

For this week’s library resource roundup, I have a nice little smorgasbord of readers advisory and collection resources, from new titles to audiobook news to booklists for kids and teens.

New & Upcoming Titles

Malcolm Gladwell announced a new book about the American gun violence epidemic, The American Way of Killing. It comes out in September. Stephen King is publishing the third novel in the Talisman trilogy, four years after co-author Peter Straub’s death. Hernan Diaz is publishing a new novel this year. E. Lockhart and Sarah Mlynowski are cowriting a new series featuring Nancy Drew as a divorced 40-year old Brooklyn mom who finds herself back in the sleuthing saddle. Sign. Me. Up. Fiona Davis is writing the first ever American Girl novel for adults, featuring Samantha as a burgeoning 25-year-old suffragette in 1920’s New York City. Sign me up for this one too! Kentucky governor Andy Beshear is publishing a book in September that focuses on his religious faith. Rachel Reid has announced that the next Unrivaled book will be postponed until June 2027.

Readers Advisory & Genre Resources

An intro to the Dungeon Crawler Carl series. If you like People We Meet on Vacation, you’ll love these book, movie, and music suggestions! The 2026 Summer Scares selections are live! Maggie O’Farrell’s best books, ranked. Welcome to a new era for Muslim women in fiction. Heated Rivalry and why so many women love gay romance.

Audiophilia

The 2026 Audie Award winners have been announced. A roundup of audiobook listening trends. Audible is rolling out a new feature that lets you listen to audio narration that’s synced up to the text in a Kindle book. Audible has added 15 new narrators to its Narrator Hall of Fame. New & upcoming mysteries & thrillers to try on audio.

Book Lists for Children & Teens

Books about immigration for kids. Books to help children grieve the death of a pet. Children’s books that celebrate Muslim culture. Picture books to celebrate spring. 12 books designed to get kids moving. Books to help kids make sense of current events. (Maybe this will help some adults as well). 4 children’s books about astronauts. Children’s picture books featuring neurodivergent characters. Books about Black inventors and scientists for young readers. Books for kids who love KPop Demon Hunters. 16 queer YA books by Black authors to preorder in 2026. 15 YA books about mental health and mental illness. 6 romantic YA dystopian novels.

Speaking of libraries, check out these books about the history of public libraries and explore the revival of zine culture (including in libraries!).