Audiobooks narrated by Bahni Turpin

The Starseekers: A Murder and Magic Novel

"Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic...if not murder. In the 1960s, the world was caught up in reaching beyond our planet and into the cosmos. It felt impossible—but there was nothing science, math…and magic couldn’t make possible. The race to space was on, and the Moon was what everyone had their eyes on. Including Cynthia Rhodes, a brilliant arcane engineer at NASA’s Ainsworth Research Labs. Talented in math and magic, she hosts a magical educational show... a job she took mostly for a chance to regularly see the dashing Theodore Danner, a professor of arcane archeology. She is also an amateur sleuth—something that has run in her family for generations. When a cursed museum curator nearly interrupts a broadcast of their show, Cynthia finds an eager sleuthing partner in Theo. Pairing up, they begin investigating the strange behavior of the curator and a mysterious theft at the arcane history museum—until one of Cynthia’s own coworkers perishes right in front of her in a major lab accident that endangers Ainsworth’s role in the space race. Certain it was murder instead of an accident, Cynthia sees this as a separate case at first. However the more she and Theo investigate, Cynthia uncovers a surprising link between the two incidents. The museum theft and murder are part of a larger equation—one that includes deadly enchantments, rumored pirate treasure, a peculiar plant, and a dire threat to the space program as well as everything she holds dear. The Starseekers is another rip-roaring adventure for the Rhodes family, who have been using magic to aid their community and solve mysteries since before the Civil War. The times may have changed, but a Rhodes once again finds themselves thrust into a world of murders, theft, sabotage, and curses, and this time the stakes extend to the stars themselves. "

Nicole Glover (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook

The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things

"An all-star ensemble cast of poets and performers bring to life Nikki Giovanni’s extraordinary final collection—a landmark of American literature! For decades, Nikki Giovanni’s poetry has been at the forefront of American culture. The New Book is a towering work of protest against the divisions of our time, leavened with moments of joy and reflection about her indelible legacy, her family history, and the small pleasures of her richly lived life. With this collection, which includes brief letters and short prose from her life as well as poetry, Giovanni reaffirms her place as a giant of literature, a canny truth-teller, an indispensable radical orator, and one of America’s preeminent cultural critics. It is a book to be savored, and shared. Readers on this audiobook include: Kwame Alexander, Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, Jericho Brown, Tabitha Brown, Mahogany L. Browne, Rio Cortez, Virginia Fowler, Nikki Giovanni, Amanda Gorman, Taraji P. Henson, Nancy Johnson, Aja Naomi King, January LaVoy, Robin Miles, Nicole Sealey, Patricia Smith, Bahni Turpin, Renee Watson, and Kevin Young. ''If there was a need for poetry that galvanized and inspired, there was also a demand for poetry that comforted and unified — and Ms. Giovanni provided on both counts.'' — The Washington Post"

Nikki Giovanni (Author), Aja Naomi King, Amanda Gorman, Bahni Turpin, Cheryl Boyce-Taylor, January LaVoy, Jericho Brown, Kevin Young, Kwame Alexander, Mahogany L. Browne, Nancy Johnson, Nicole Sealey, Nikki Giovanni, Patricia Smith, Renée Watson, Rio Cortez, Robin Miles, Tabitha Brown, Taraji P. Henson, Virginia Fowler (Narrator)

Audiobook

Trailblazer: A Memoir

"A memoir from Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun detailing her remarkable childhood and political career on the Hill, including her tenure as the first Black female US senator The first Black woman ever elected to the Senate. The first woman to represent the state of Illinois. The first Black woman to serve as a US ambassador to New Zealand. These are just a few of the "firsts" that Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun can lay claim to since entering politics in the 1970s. Since then, the self-professed "Black girl from the south side of Chicago" has been shattering ceilings and making history. Yet her journey to Congress and to international renown was not an easy one, rife with obstacles, controversies, and lessons learned. In Trailblazer, Moseley Braun shares the full story of her extraordinary life in a fascinating narrative filled with poignant, powerful, and sometimes funny stories. Born into a family with a history of civil rights activism and military service dating back to the Civil War, Moseley Braun talks about her childhood in racially segregated Chicago to the present, including marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., running for president as the lone woman in a field of men, and fostering surprising friendships throughout her storied career, from Joe Biden to Hillary Clinton. Trailblazer is a story of perseverance, a moving narrative from a once-in-a-generation icon, steeped in the civic and civil rights history of our nation. Carol Moseley Braun offers readers a measure of hope and an optimistic letter to future generations on the work we have done and have yet to do to ensure that our country lives up to the promise of liberty and justice for all."

Carol Moseley Braun (Author), Bahni Turpin, Carol Moseley Braun (Narrator)

Audiobook

These Heathens: A Novel

"From the "razor-sharp and outrageously funny" (Taylor Jenkins Reid) mind of Mia McKenzie comes a vibrant novel exploring how one weekend can change your whole life. Dear Lord, please forgive me for the sins I've committed. And for the one I'm still planning to commit tomorrow. Amen. Where do you get an abortion in 1960 Georgia, especially if your small town's midwife goes to the same church as your parents? For seventeen-year-old Doris Steele, the answer is Atlanta, where her favorite teacher, Mrs. Lucas, calls upon her brash, wealthy childhood best friend, Sylvia, for help. While waiting to hear from the doctor who has agreed to do the procedure, Doris spends the weekend scandalized by, but drawn to, the people who move in and out of Sylvia's orbit: celebrities whom Doris has seen in the pages of Jet and Ebony, civil rights leaders such as Coretta Scott King and Diane Nash, women who dance close together, boys who flirt too hard and talk too much, atheists! And even more shocking? Mrs. Lucas seems right at home. From the guests at a queer kickback to the student activists at a SNCC conference, Doris suddenly finds herself surrounded by so many people who seem to know exactly who or what they want. Doris knows she doesn't want a baby, but what does she want? Will this trip help her find out? These Heathens is a funny, poignant story about Black women's obligations and ambitions, what we owe to ourselves, and the transformative power of leaving your bubble, even for just one chaotic weekend."

Mia McKenzie (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Gardin Wedding: A Gardins of Edin Novel

"One of the Gardin women must navigate a season rich with unexpected challenges in the follow-up to The Gardins of Edin, a heartwarming story about new beginnings and what it takes to get there. "A perfect read for those who love to read about romance and personal growth."-Essence Martha Gardin is a mess, and no one knows this better than the women in her family. Good-hearted but often misguided by distrust and insecurity, Martha is known for stirring up drama. That's why Ruth, Naomi, and Mary are pleasantly surprised when Martha mellows out after she begins dating one of the most eligible bachelors in town. Handsome, well-connected Oji Greenwald is everything Martha hoped to find in a man, and it's only a matter of time before he pops the question. Rarely caught off guard, Martha is accustomed to getting her way. But when it appears she's finally about to have the life she's always wanted, a crisis in Oji's family brings out Martha's tendency to try to save the day her way, and the divide deepens between her and Oji's already indifferent mother, Eve. Confronted with these unforeseen challenges to her plans, Martha finds herself on a journey that forces her to fully acknowledge her previous mistakes and reconcile her past. But will it be enough to deliver her the future-and the love-her heart desires?"

Rosey Lee (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Sing the Truth: The Kweli Journal Short Story Collection

"A powerful must-read collection of bold BIPOC voices. All proceeds support The Kweli Journal's mission to nurture emerging writers of color and foster a vibrant literary community. 'It gave me great pleasure to read this beautiful collection of important, diverse, sometimes heartbreaking, and always moving stories; it had the extra benefit of introducing me to several authors whom I'd never read before and whose work I've started to seek out. Highly recommended.' —Nancy Pearl, acclaimed librarian, bestselling author, and literary critic "With this new collection of short stories, we are once again the beneficiaries of brilliant prose that dances off the pages and into our hearts. I'm proud to be in the chorus praising SING THE TRUTH." —Monique Greenwood, co-founder of Go On Girl! Book Club and owner of Akwaaba Bed & Breakfast Inns "As the editor of the groundbreaking journal Kweli, Laura Pegram has introduced us to many of the finest writers of the contemporary literary landscape. In this new, monumental anthology, Pegram has gathered several of these writers, welcoming us to a luminous community in the word." —Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, author of The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois Hailed as "The Paris Review of BIPOC literature," The Kweli Journal has been a launching pad for many of today's most celebrated writers. Kweli—"truth" in Swahili—marks its fifteenth anniversary with this luminous collection edited by founder Laura Pegram. These vivid narratives explore the devastation of leaving home and the struggle to adapt to reimagined lives, lost loves, distant families, and buried pasts, deepening our understanding of the human experience. Featuring works from acclaimed authors Naima Coster, Nicole Dennis-Benn, Daphne Palasi Andreades, Susan Muaddi Darraj, and others, this anthology stands as a testament to voices too often overlooked in contemporary literature. 'The stories in this collection serve as windows into diverse communities while inviting readers of all backgrounds to engage with and appreciate the richness of our cultures.' —Edwidge Danticat, from the foreword of Sing the Truth"

TBD (Author), Almarie Guerra, Angel Pean, Bahni Turpin, Chante McCormick, Charlie Wood, Frankie Corzo, Jennifer Aquino, Karen Chilton, Luzma Ortiz, Natalie Naudus, Neil Shah, Rasha Zamamiri, Shayna Small, Timothy Andrés Pabon (Narrator)

Audiobook

The Gospel According to Sasha Renee

"Dreamscape First: Enjoy exclusive audiobooks from Dreamscape Media—before they're available in any other format. Chicago, 2006 Feisty and stubborn Sasha Billingsly has never had it easy. As a young girl growing up in the shadow of a mother’s expectations and the absence of a father’s love, she learned early on that she was going to have to please people in order to gain love and acceptance…or find ways to make people dislike her so she could prove they’re out to get her. That is, until God intervened profoundly in her life, delivering both the help of a soulmate, Langston Germaine, and the unseen forces of the spirit realm… Three generations of women. Three generations of trauma and pain. A three-generation journey to victory and joy. The Gospel of Grace Women Trilogy is the compilation of three separate books: The Gospel According to Sasha Renee, Interruption: The Gospel According to Crystal Justine, and The Next Thing is Joy: The Gospel According to Vivian Grace."

Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Francine's Spectacular Crash and Burn: A Novel

"Francine Stevenson's chance encounter with a ten-year-old who shows up at her doorstep after her mother's sudden death spirals into an adventure for the ages Francine Stevenson gets more than she bargained for when she rescues ten-year-old Davie from a group of bullies clamoring to snatch his beloved iPad. From that day forward the puzzlingly direct boy continues to show up at her door until the two develop a unique understanding. Their Pixar movie nights and Davie's random Steve Jobs factoids slowly work to soothe the ache of her mother's recent passing. When Francine learns Davie is in foster care, she decides to introduce herself to his foster parents who she can't help but judge for allowing the kid to spend evenings with a literal stranger. To Francine's surprise Davie's foster mother is none other than Jeanette, her fiery high school crush. Their reintroduction forces Francine to face her severely single reality. And hearing her dreaded old nickname brings up long-buried issues she never dreamed of confronting. Tired of being used by the women she meets on dating apps, Francine grows closer to the very-married Jeanette, until all her other priorities begin to cloud over, and Davie is only on the periphery of her mind. After a consecutive string of bad choices, Francine is left wondering how to free herself from an incredibly hot but toxic entanglement, as she works to become the kind of person Davie can depend on. What follows is a tumultuous journey of self-discovery told by one of the zaniest voices in fiction. A tale of found family and hijinks, Francine's Spectacular Crash and Burn will wiggle deep into even the most resistant hearts."

Renee Swindle (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Marvel: Black Panther: The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda

"Brought to you by Penguin. Across the galaxy, the Black Panther answers the call of rebellion in this thrilling adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s graphic novel, The Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda. Lost to time, space, and legend, Wakanda’s rightful king must answer the call of rebellion… On Earth, Wakanda is a beacon of prosperity and a bastion of freedom. But across the expanse of space, thousands of lightyears away, lies another Wakanda. One that has grown to hold five galaxies in its iron grip. One that steals the memories of those it enslaves. One that has abandoned the values of its forbearers and seeks only the glory and power of Empire. Lost amongst unfamiliar stars, a man finds himself trapped in an imperial mining camp – one of the countless Nameless violated by the Empire. He knows not how he got there, who he is, or even his name. Only a haunting vision of a woman who he must have known once, imploring him to “Come back to me.” The only thing he does know, in his bones, is that he must fight the oppression that binds him and the others around him. It is that will to fight that leads him to the Maroons, a band of rebels, determined to shatter the Empire and restore the memories of the Nameless. Quickly, the man proves his worth with an unparalleled skill for battle, and the Maroons bestow on the man a title of hope, promise, and responsibility: T’Challa. As T’Challa’s reputation amongst the rebels and ordinary citizens spreads, whispers of hope begin to swirl. Could this be the true T’Challa of old, the Avenger? The one Who Puts the Knife Where it Belongs? As all eyes turn to him, T’Challa must decide if he will embrace a future of responsibility as their savior or pursue the mystery of his true past. © Suyi Davies Okungbowa 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025"

Suyi Davies Okungbowa (Author), Bahni Turpin, William DeMeritt (Narrator)

Audiobook

GLORY DAZE: A Glory Broussard Mystery, Book 2

"“A delightful debut. Readers will be eager to spend more time with Glory in future installments.” - Publishers Weekly, Starred Review “Glory Broussard is a character for the ages.” - New York Times Book Review 'A remarkable debut novel that blends a character study with a tightly woven mystery that delves into dark corners of racism and corruption.' - Washington Post After her life was turned upside down by solving the murder of her best friend, Sister Amity Gay, all Glory Brousard wanted was a little peace and quiet. That included getting back to her Sunday morning routine as a bookie in a coffee shop, and planning the annual Mardi Gras gala for her church. But there’s no rest for Glory once the woman who broke up her marriage walks in to CC's Coffee House and asks for help finding her missing husband. It doesn’t take long before Glory finds him . . . with a knife impaled in his chest. No one knew the man—and his dark side—better than Glory Broussard, who would rather let the local authorities take the lead. But Glory’s daughter, still reeling from problems of her own, insists on her involvement. Glory’s search for the murderer takes her deep inside the seedy world of Louisiana casinos and racetracks, from their high roller VIP rooms with chatty dealers to stables filled with thoroughbred horses and shady dealings. As if solving a murder and sparring with the woman who had an affair with her ex-husband isn’t enough, Glory has to get to the bottom of her daughter’s secrets, and there are a few members of her church group who would love to see her fail in her Mardi Gras responsibilities. Walloped with one revelation after another, Glory’s no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is attitude and strength is tested like never before. But it’s going to take more than that to keep her down in this charming and gripping new novel in the award-winning and critically acclaimed Glory Broussard mystery series."

Danielle Arceneaux (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook

(S)Kin

"SIX STARRED REVIEWS! A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection! From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her groundbreaking contemporary fantasy debut—a novel in verse based on Caribbean folklore—about the power of inherited magic and the price we must pay to live the life we yearn for. “Our new home with its thick walls and locked doors wants me to stay trapped in my skin— but I am fury and flame.” Fifteen-year-old Marisol is the daughter of a soucouyant. Every new moon, she sheds her skin like the many women before her, shifting into a fireball witch who must fly into the night and slowly sip from the lives of others to sustain her own. But Brooklyn is no place for fireball witches with all its bright lights, shut windows, and bolt-locked doors.… While Marisol hoped they would leave their old traditions behind when they emigrated from the islands, she knows this will never happen while she remains ensnared by the one person who keeps her chained to her magical past—her mother. Seventeen-year-old Genevieve is the daughter of a college professor and a newly minted older half sister of twins. Her worsening skin condition and the babies’ constant wailing keep her up at night, when she stares at the dark sky with a deep longing to inhale it all. She hopes to quench the hunger that gnaws at her, one that seems to reach for some memory of her estranged mother. When a new nanny arrives to help with the twins, a family secret connecting her to Marisol is revealed, and Gen begins to find answers to questions she hasn’t even thought to ask. But the girls soon discover that the very skin keeping their flames locked beneath the surface may be more explosive to the relationships around them than any ancient magic."

Ibi Zoboi (Author), Bahni Turpin, Robin Miles (Narrator)

Audiobook

Mainline Mama: A Memoir

"A powerful exploration of self-resilience, family, and community from activist and prison abolitionist Keeonna Harris. Keeonna and Jason met as young teens. Only fourteen, Keeonna had never had a boyfriend before, dreamed of attending Spelman to become an obstetrician, and thought she was “grown.” Within a year she was pregnant and Jason was in prison, convicted of a carjacking and sentenced to twenty-two years. Overnight Keeonna had become a “mainline mama,” a parent facing the task of raising a child—while still growing up herself—with an incarcerated partner. In this triumphant memoir, Keeonna recalls her challenging journey as a mainline mama, from learning to overcome the exhausting difficulties of navigating the carceral system in the United States to transforming herself into an advocate for women like her—the predominantly Black and Brown women left behind to pick up the pieces of their families and fractured lives. Keeonna speaks frankly about the forces that threatened to defeat her, how she learned to re - build her broken relationship with a mother who had lost trust in her, and how time eased the shame, guilt, and stigma of being a young Black teen mom with a partner behind bars. She offers inspiration and solace, showing how to create moments of beauty, humanity, and love—such as picking the perfect wedding dress for a ceremony in a state prison visiting room—in a place de - signed to break spirits. Mainline Mama is about creating self-love and community—crucial acts of radical resistance against a prison industrial complex designed to dehumanize and to separate and shut away incarcerated individuals and their loved ones from the world."

Keeonna Harris (Author), Bahni Turpin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Bahni Turpin