Poetry Audiobooks | Literature

"A Poetry Book Society Recommendation Dean Browne arrives at the After Party with the maturity and style of an altogether more seasoned poet. In a debut collection of standout and stand-alone poems, each tests the boundaries of its unique universe. Browne is a mesmeric teller of strange tales, imaginings that can seem origamically contained within the compressed dimensions of a poem. A leg sets off on a long train journey; a Parisian alley cat is launched into space; earthbound lovers attempt to connect while their inner lives prove unbridgeable. Losses are mourned: two poets elegized here - Charles Simic and the late Donegal poet Matthew Sweeney - might offer a fingerpost of sensibilities, though Browne's significant talent is distinctly his own. After Party introduces a beguiling, resonant new voice, a raised eyebrow and fidelity to the image - sometimes carried along the tightrope much further than seems possible. In poems that are both death-haunted and youthful, and thrumming with a delicious dark humour, Dean Browne brings a much-needed injection of the surreal - or the surreal-ish as he might prefer to say - to Ireland's rising generation. 'Poems that sneak in the side-door then exit through the ceiling' Caroline Bird 'Dean Browne is a terrific poet: his language is agile and fresh, his ideas surprising, and the reader feels invigorated, renewed - and lucky to have met such poems' Nick Laird"

Dean Browne (Author), Dean Browne (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Book of Jonah

"'Kennard's distinctive voice - surreal, funny, anxious, always overthinking, and cringingly self-deprecating - has made him one of the most widely liked and imitated British poets under forty' Tristram Fane Saunders, TLS None of the Old Testament prophets were especially happy or confident in their calling, but Jonah was the only one who rejected it outright, disobeying direct instruction from God and literally running away. In The Book of Jonah, Luke Kennard transforms the unique and awkward position Jonah's story occupies in scripture - part dream, part joke, part provocation - into a madcap picaresque which marries the sacred and the absurd. Though Jonah's encounter with the whale is most commonly interpreted as the story of a reluctant prophet being punished by his maker, Kennard's Jonah is more wily business traveller than seer. Taking his instruction instead from non-governmental organizations, arts development agencies and public-relations gurus, this Jonah keeps relentlessly busy, accepting any assignment that will take him further away from Nineveh and drown out the word of God in his ears. On his travels he meets errant writers, fixers, artists and consultants, but nobody who can give him a sense of what his work might be beyond a five-star capitalist purgatory in a series of exotic locations. What would it mean to be a prophet - or even a false prophet - in this milieu? Taking on the decimation of funding for the arts, the emptiness of the hero's journey and a literary culture regarded by wider society with cynicism, ignorance and apathy, The Book of Jonah is a blistering new collection from the Forward Prize-winning author of Notes on the Sonnets."

Luke Kennard (Author), Luke Kennard (Narrator)

Audiobook

Joy in the Belly of a Riot: Poems, Prayers, Memories, and Meditations

"The acclaimed poetic force celebrates the practice of poetry as healing and prayer in this vital, life-affirming collection about surviving the void and touching the divine—the second book in a creative collaboration between Amistad and Moore Black Press. At age fifteen, Barbara Fant tragically lost her mother, and her world was suddenly upended. “I became an angry teenager. I was mad at the world.,” she recalls. “I even stopped praying, but I began to write. Poetry became my way of communication, my way of processing . . . it became my way to pray.” Rebirth, renewal, and healing are the heart of Joy in the Belly of a Riot. Fant’s monumental collection is a continuation of her lifelong project of using poetry as prayer; this is healing-informed poetry to restore herself, her community, and the world. Exquisitely lyrical and boldly resonant, Fant’s poems excavate the nightmares of a childhood marked by poverty, violence, racism, and the loss of countless loved ones. Suffering seemed endemic to neighborhoods like hers, and yet, in Fant’s own words, “I keep trying to write about the trauma, but the joy won’t let me.” Steeped in a rich Black Christian tradition and drawing on Scripture for artistic inspiration, Fant’s verse offers solace and guidance for all, from the devout to the skeptical. In these poems Fant demands that we see her, and her community, throug more than our grief. As she closes this profound collection, Fant gently preaches that we choose life and reminds us that “wholeness is our birthright.” Joy in the Belly of a Riot is a healing balm in times of sustained uncertainty and a rock upon which we can build and sustain a foundation of joy. Fant’s essential message demands to be heard, now more than ever."

Barbara Fant (Author), Barbara Fant (Narrator)

Audiobook

Hekate: the new immersive, electrifying Greek retelling from bestselling poet Nikita Gill

"'Atmospheric, engrossing, beautiful and sad, one of those books you find yourself wanting to be back inside when you've had to put it down' NATALIE HAYNES, author of A Thousand Ships and Stone Blind 'A vivid and imaginatively wrought divine world that is monstrous, magical and beautiful' JENNIFER SAINT, bestselling author of Hera and Ariadne 'Wholly original, incandescent... This poem is pure magic' ELODIE HARPER, bestselling author of The Wolf Den trilogy 'A powerful reflection on magic, power, family and the consequences of war. I absolutely loved it' COSTANZA CASATI, bestselling author of Clytemnestra A propulsive, electrifying and enraging retelling in verse of the life of Greek goddess Hekate, child of war turned all-powerful goddess of witchcraft and necromancy, by internationally bestselling poet Nikita Gill. Born into a world on fire, Godling Hekate has never known safety. After her parents find themselves on the losing side of the war between the ruling Titans and the new Olympian Gods, Hekate is taken by her mother Asteria to the Underworld, where Styx and Hades agree to raise her. Meanwhile, Asteria is pursued across the world by Zeus and Poseidon and, to escape their clutches, transforms herself into an island in a stormy sea. Orphaned and alone, Hekate grows up amongst the horrors and beauties of the Underworld, desperate to find her divine purpose and a sense of belonging in the land of the dead. When she finally uncovers her powers and ascends to Goddess status, she realises that even the most powerful Olympians are terrified of her. But when immortal war breaks out again, threatening to destroy everything from Mount Olympus to the Underworld itself, the Goddess of witchcraft and necromancy is the only one who can bring the deadly conflict to an end..."

Nikita Gill (Author), Nikita Gill (Narrator)

Audiobook

About Time: Poems

"From acclaimed author, actor, and singer-songwriterDavid Duchovny, a deeply personal, existential, and insightful debut poetry collection DAVID DUCHOVNY’S SEVENTH PUBLISHED—AND FIRST POETIC—WORK covers a range of intimate themes and topics, including love, the loss of love, parenting, Duchovny’s own parents (in particular his father, who looms large throughout the work), alienation, and other emotional quandaries. Fans of Duchovny’s fiction will recognize the insightful and clever play of words that, in this new form, distill to an emotionally impactful portrayal of what the author holds most dear. Duchovny’s approach to poetry is beautifully (and, typically, humorously) encapsulated in his introduction to the work, in which he writes: Poetry is not useful. And that is exactly why we need it. It reminds us of two important things: our ultimate lack of agency (unpopular to say, I know) and our inability to say anything plain, our inability to capture what it means to be human with the imperfect tool of words; we come face-to-face with our shadow selves, for in the end we will all die and be forgotten, and come away with nothing, nothing in the way of utility anyway, no talking points, no bullet points, no propaganda, no resolutions, no policy, no knowledge. If anything, maybe we remember a few lines . . . something like a pop song from the collective unconscious, something like wisdom. You see, I wanted to say it plain, but out comes that torrent of modifiers and adjustments, denials, double negatives, shading, stabs at wit, backpedaling, playing at capturing the lightning. Maybe this time. Maybe that’s what a poem is—that glorious feeling of Maybe this time I’ll get it right. If that’s the case, it seems a worthy enterprise to me. You see, I got somewhere, but the way back is unclear—that’s a good enough definition of poetry for now. No, it’s not. Duchovny’s efforts at achieving such clarity range in this collection from laser-sharp, single-sentence poems to emotionally sweeping ruminations. With About Time—perhaps his most personal work to date—Duchovny continues his journey as one of the most prolific creators of his generation. Front cover photo © Stefan Sappert "

David Duchovny (Author), David Duchovny (Narrator)

Audiobook

Little Alleluias: Collected Poetry and Prose

"A curated compendium of poetry and prose from the award-winning poet Mary Oliver, including the book-length masterpiece The Leaf and the Cloud, the collection What Do We Know, andessays from Long Life-with a foreword by fellow Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Postcolonial Love Poem Natalie Diaz. For the many admirers of Mary Oliver's breathtaking poetry of touch and transcendence, as well as for those coming to her words for the first time, Little Alleluias is a revelation. These works observe, search, pause, astonish, and give thanks to both love and the natural world. In constant conversation with the sublime, (i.e. "Are you afraid? / Somewhere a thousand swans are flying / through winter's worst storm."), Oliver has the rare skill of rendering life: her poems bring movement to stillness, and people to the Earth, themselves, and each other. Her essays declare her heart and her home, too, alongside thoughts on Wordsworth, Emerson, and Hawthorne-the odes and elegies of Provincetown's resident poet. Page by page, Mary Oliver invites us to walk through her minutes, her moments, and revere the light and dark and rainbowed clothes of world alongside her. With three distinct books collected in one volume for the first time, Little Alleluias asks what passes and what persists, and offers readers the peace that every mind deserves. "Hers is a purposeful language, one that looks not just with attention but with sensual intention, and though awestruck, seeks to hold, even briefly, the unknowns of the energies that make any life. Little alleluias, she called her writings. Not meant to define but to praise, to rejoice in the maker and what has been made, to dare be heard as a whisper or a shout in this immense world."-Natalie Diaz, in her Foreword"

Mary Oliver (Author), Kimberly Farr, Natalie Diaz, Niyati Patel (Narrator)

Audiobook

Native Echoes: Listening to the Spirit of the Land

"From the grandeur of the Great Plains to the solitude of the northern woods, from the intensity of a summer storm to the quiet redemption of a fresh blanket of snow, Kent Nerburn's Native Echoes pays homage to the power of the land to shape our hearts and spirits. An Ojibwe elder once counseled Nerburn to 'always teach by stories, because stories lodge deep in the heart.'' Using skills learned from Native storytellers as well as a deep reverence for the world's spiritual traditions, Nerburn takes us to an Ojibwe burial, down lonely winter roads, and into landscapes where trees have presence and the earth is made alive by the mystical power of water and light. Native Echoes is a stark, poetic work that honors both Native American traditions and our western way of thinking and believing. NAPRA Review calls it a ''beautiful book that will touch not only those who find Spirit in Native American paths, but anyone who has felt the presence of something powerful beyond the known.''"

Kent Nerburn (Author), David Stifel (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Never Was: Poems

"A poetic celebration embracing our unfinished, imperfect, and authentic selves. Narrated by the poet himself, The Never Was is a deeply personal return from bestselling poet Tyler Knott Gregson. Known for his engaging spoken word across social media, Gregson turns inward with raw honesty, reflecting on identity, diagnosis, and the quiet beauty in the incomplete. Prompted by a late-in-life autism diagnosis, Gregson revisits a series of poetic fragments—unfinished lines once cast aside—that now reveal themselves as essential expressions of his neurodivergent experience. Interwoven with new poems, these pieces form a deeply human tapestry of vulnerability, self-discovery, and grace. This is a book for anyone who has felt unseen, misunderstood, or like they didn't quite fit. The Never Was is a celebration of the imperfect, a testament to the healing power of art, and a reminder that even the fragments can hold a whole world."

Tyler Knott Gregson (Author), Tyler Knott Gregson (Narrator)

Audiobook

Watering the Soul

"Poetry and prose to encourage us to grow. Watering the Soul is a timeless reminder that everyone needs time, love, and forgiveness. In the deepest, most enchanting part of the forest, a creature hands you a seed. Within the seed is your soul, ready to be grown again. From internationally bestselling author Courtney Peppernell comes a new book of poetry and prose, Watering the Soul. In true Peppernell style, the book is divided into sections, this time following a step-by-step recipe, to heal your soul. Filled with themes that focus on forgiveness, gratitude, togetherness, and equality, Peppernell takes readers on a journey to find a precious yet profound understanding: that a seed is not grown with haste and nor is becoming whole; that in each and every step, we find the meaning of watering the soul. This is the story of your soul and how it can be grown again."

Courtney Peppernell (Author), Courtney Peppernell (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Way Back Home

"When a dark storm settled upon the earth, you lost many things-your hope, your strength, yourself. One day, in the middle of the darkness, you meet a spirit, washed from the ocean onto the shore. The spirit hands you a key. It is time to find the way back home. Returning with her newest poetry book, beloved poet Courtney Peppernell (Pillow Thoughts) combines storytelling, poetry, and prose in a uniquely inspirational way. Filled with heartfelt anecdotes and insightful messages, The Way Back Home is a tribute to rebuilding our lives after loss. Divided into sections that draw on themes of courage, resilience, purpose, and hope, this inspiring collection has Peppernell once again walking us through a redemptive journey of the heart, mind, and soul. Perfect for anyone in need of encouragement and hope, Peppernell's words illuminate what it means to continue forward in life, despite all the challenges we face, to find the way back home."

Courtney Peppernell (Author), Courtney Peppernell (Narrator)

Audiobook

Time Will Tell

"Time Will Tell is a collection of introspective poetry from bestselling author Courtney Peppernell. Come along and discover what it means to start inward and evolve into the version of yourself the universe knows you can be. From the bestselling author of Pillow Thoughts and Watering the Soul comes another deeply honest and moving collection of poetry and prose that explores the strength and resilience we embody in the face of hardship and change. Presented in six captivating sections—Reflecting, Repairing, Change, Awakening, Emerging, and Rebirth—Time Will Tell tells the story of a curious, lost soul who crashed down to Earth on the search for purpose. With the help of their trusted guide, and told with Courtney Peppernell's signature encouragement and beauty, this broken but fearless soul fights through each changing cycle and emerges more beautiful and stronger than the moment they fell. An inspiring tale sure to resonate with anyone who has faced struggles and adversity in their lives. Come along as these endearing characters journey inward and you, too, may discover what it means to be free."

Courtney Peppernell (Author), Courtney Peppernell (Narrator)

Audiobook

Dead Girl Cameo: A Love Song in Poems

"A dazzling docupoetic debut collection interweaving personal loss with the life stories of Aaliyah Haughton, Whitney Houston, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, Phyllis Hyman, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, and others to explore sexuality, survival, queer mourning, and the afterlives of stardom "Poet m. mick powell's debut collection . . . resurrects their vivid lives and artistry to paint a more humanizing picture of their legacy."-USA Today "I made, of my bones, an earth for you: turned the oceans your favorite shade of light, that deepened, nearly bruised dusk. Reflected in my palms, what I've made into water glows amethyst" In m. mick powell's polyphonic, haunting debut, a chorus of voices conjures up intimate pop herstories to map how the poet's queer Black girlhood was molded by their memory. With tender reverence, powell meditates on the deaths of her own beloveds while reflecting on the many stages of an icon's life: How did these women challenge conventional representations of Black femininity and transform the musical landscape? How did they navigate abuse and alienation in the limelight? How do the mythologies that survive them establish afterlives of queer femme possibility? Through sensual imagery, speculative verse, and splendid wordplay, Dead Girl Cameo takes us beyond the headlines, innovating a Black feminist poetic that traverses the richly textured realms of grief, girlhood, love, widowing, femme friendship, and queer fandom."

m. mick powell (Author), m. mick powell (Narrator)

Audiobook

Poetry Audiobooks in Literature