Audiobooks narrated by Tyla Collier

Mounted: On Horses, Blackness, and Liberation

"Joining the growing Black creative movement currently refashioning horses and cowboy imagery, a thoughtful, probing exploration of the shared history of Blackness and horses which reveals what its image can teach us about nationhood, race, and culture. Drawing on their personal history as a former urban equestrian, Black queer person, and child of Jamaican and Filipino immigrants, essayist and art critic Bitter Kalli contends the horse should be regarded as a critical source of power and identity in Black life. In a series of astute essays, Kalli explores the work of Black artists and influencers from Beyoncé to filmmakers Tiona Nekkia-McClodden and Jeymes Samuel and explores their own life-long relationship to equines. Alternatively playful and critical, meditative and biting, these essays navigate time and place—from the shadows of racetracks where jockey culture and the ubiquity of “equestrian chic” was born, to the reclamation—or, in Lil Nas X’s word, yeehawification—of the image of the cowboy, to the fraught connections of equestrian sport to slavery, US militarization, and European colonial domination. At heart, Kalli probes a central question: What does it mean for Black people to ride and tend horses in the context of a culture that has also used horses against them? Throughout these essays, Kalli reflects on the experience of being the only Black member of the equestrian team at Columbia University, and how the aesthetics, ethos, and practice of horse stewardship contributed to their understanding of gender, sexuality, and radical community building. Mounted moves beyond the reductive stereotypes that dominate our perceptions of “horse people”—the swaggering masculinity, snooty elitism, and assumed whiteness—to reveal how Black people relate to the image and physical presence of the horse in nature and culture, considering violence, sexualization, power, migration, and more through its image."

Bitter Kalli (Author), Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

Pretty Girl County

"'Irresistibly fun and authentic, Pretty Girl County is a luminous showcase of community, friendship, love in all its complexities, and the ways we blaze our own paths. A sparkling, must-read delight!'-Julian Winters, award-winning author of Right Where I Left You The glitz of Gossip Girl meets the hustle of Leah Johnson's You Should See Me in a Crown in this charming and hilarious story of ex-BFFs from PG County, Maryland, perfect for fans of Joya Goffney and Elise Bryant. Girls like Reya Samuels always come from Prince George's County. Reya is rich and she's not afraid to show it-she wears designer clothes, drives a custom pink Audi, and lives in a neighborhood tucked behind a fancy cast iron gate. She works hard, but she can get anything she wants with a snap. Sommer Watkins is from Seat Pleasant, where the cast iron gates are significantly smaller-and attached to the windows, where most folks are still trying to make ends meet. Every day for Sommer is a hustle, working at her dad's bookstore, and using her art skills to scrounge up enough scholarship money for her dream school, Spelman. Reya and Sommer used to be BFFs-back when Reya lived in Seat Pleasant, too. Now the girls are from different stratospheres-but when Reya desperately needs help to prove to FIT admissions officers that she has what it takes to make it in fashion, the only person who can help is Sommer. Reya promises to help Sommer in return-she'll pay her for her services, helping Sommer afford the school her parents can't. As the girls work together, slowly they begin to trust each other again. But when new relationships push them both, and Sommer's dad's bookstore is suddenly in danger of closing, old wounds bubble up. Can the girls find a way to repair their friendship and stay true to themselves along the way?"

Lakita Wilson (Author), Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

Call Your Boyfriend

"She Gets the Girl meets Do Revenge in this fun and flirty young adult sapphic rom-com about two teens who want revenge on the flaky popular girl they're both crushing on. All is fair in love and revenge... Cynical but sensitive Beau Carl has been secretly hooking up with the ultra-popular Maia Moon – but she isn't sure if Maia has feelings for her. When Beau shows up at a party and sees Maia about to kiss another girl, Beau is heartbroken. Sweet, inexperienced Charm Montgomery is ecstatic when Maia's flirty behaviour leads to them almost kissing at a party. Almost - because the kiss is interrupted. And when Maia accepts an elaborate promposal from her douchey, popular ex-boyfriend just a few days later, Maia is heartbroken too. There's only one thing for them to do – get her back. As Beau coaches Charm into getting Maia to fall in love with her – with plans on breaking Maia's heart in return – Beau and Charm start to grow closer too. But are either of them ready to let go of their scheme to take a chance on something a little sweeter – and scarier – than revenge? A gorgeous sapphic summer rom-com for fans Rachael Lippincott & Alyson Derrick, Casey McQuiston and Becky Albertalli."

Ashley Woodfolk, Olivia A. Cole (Author), Emily Shaw, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

Where There Be Monsters

"For fans of AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS and THE MARVELLERS, Alby C. Williams' debut middle grade fantasy is a sweeping adventure filled with monsters, mysteries, and mischief. Eleven-year-old Glory Brown is desperate for adventure far from her family’s quaint, quiet life at The Light Inn. Generations of Browns have been stewards of this humble hotel, which acts as a sanctuary in the stretch of monster-filled land called the Seam. But Glory wants nothing more than to learn how to use her Moxie, a special magic only kids have, and to train to become a Spherinaut like her mother, exploring and documenting the perilous depths of the Outersphere. When a mysterious boy named Marcus appears one day on a top-secret mission for the Parliamentarium – the school for aspiring Spherinauts – Glory packs up her beloved books and sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that will shuttle her across time and space…and reveal new dangers lurking in the worlds beyond the Seam. For there’s mischief afoot that’s threatening the balance between the worlds, its magic, and its monsters. And it’s up to Glory to find a solution before it’s too late. A Macmillan Audio production from Roaring Brook Press."

Alby C. Williams (Author), Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

Love in 280 Characters or Less

"Told through blog posts, messages, and more, a Black girl in college navigates academic and career paths, love in real life versus the internet, and new friendships, in this young adult coming-of-age romance perfect for fans of Mary H.K. Choi’s Emergency Contact and Sandhya Menon’s From Twinkle, With Love! Sydney Ciara Warren is excited as she starts her first semester of college, but also nervous. Her best friend Malcolm will be at a different university, so she'll have to make new friends. And despite her interests in writing and fashion, she has no idea what path will ultimately be right for her—though they probably don’t involve law school, regardless of her parents’ wishes. As Sydney Ciara tries to figure out her place on campus and in the world, she finds solace in blogging about her life, putting together outfits with meaning, and spending time on Twitter. It’s within the digital space that she connects with someone who goes by YoungPrinceX. She may not know “X” in real life, but that doesn’t stop her from developing a crush on him. Except things get complicated, as she also navigates her first romantic relationship with a sweet boy on campus named Xavier (who maybe could be X?). Can Sydney Ciara not only make it through her first semester, but thrive in real life, as much as she seems to be thriving online? Told through blog posts, tweets, messages, emails, and more, here is a love letter to Twitter, to Black girls who think they won’t get chosen, and to those who take too long finding the perfect words."

Ravynn K. Stringfield (Author), Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe

"In this poignant mixed voice, mixed form collection of interconnected prose, poems and stories, teen characters, their families, and their communities grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst fear and loss, these New York City teens prevail with love, resilience and hope. From the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky and Vinyl Moon. '[A] gorgeous, tender testament to the generation of young people who shouldered the pandemic." --Brendan Kiely, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Grief, pain, hope, and love collide in this short story collection. In New York City, teens, their families, and their communities feel the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amidst the fear and loss, these teens and the adults around them persevere with love and hope while living in difficult circumstances: - Malachi writes an Armageddon short story inspired by his pandemic reality. - Tariq helps their ailing grandmother survive during quarantine. - Zamira struggles with depression and loneliness after losing her parents. - Mohamed tries to help keep his community spirit alive. - A social worker reflects on the ways the foster system fails their children. From award-winning author Mahogany L. Browne comes a poignant collection of interconnected prose, poems, and lists about the humanity and resilience of New Yorkers during the Covid-19 pandemic."

Mahogany L. Browne (Author), Ali Nasser, Amir Royale, Andrea Emmes, Brandon Miles, Chantelle Ramdeen, Elena Rey, Emana Rachelle, Kiebpoli Calnek, Mahogany L. Browne, Marie-Francoise Theodore, Nile Bullock, Ozzie Jacobs, Ron Butler, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

Confessions of a Video Vixen

"This is the post-Me Too update to the ahead-of-its-time emotionally charged memoir from a former hip hop music video vixen many women needed to see. Twenty years after she took us beyond the glitz and glamour of celebrity, this story of a woman who survived physical abuse, rape, drug and alcohol abuse to then forge a new life is even more triumphant. As the music industry started to have its own reckoning with men who've behaved badly, even criminally, Confessions has been discussed in some quarters as an early warning bell, with Karrine Steffans seen as a feminist icon who shined a light when no one wanted her to and championed sex positivity before it was embraced. Now, in a new foreword and bonus chapter, talks about what it has been like to watch the tide turn, as well as the lessons still to be learned. Part tell-all, part cautionary tale, this emotionally charged memoir from a former video vixen nicknamed 'Superhead' goes beyond the glamour of celebrity to reveal the inner workings of the hip-hop dancer industry—from the physical and emotional abuse that's rampant in the industry, and which marked her own life—to the excessive use of drugs, sex and bling. Once the sought-after video girl, this sexy siren has helped multi-platinum artists, such as Jay-Z, R. Kelly and LL Cool J, sell millions of albums with her sensual dancing. In a word, Karrine was H-O-T. So hot that she made as much as $2500 a day in videos and was selected by well-known film director F. Gary Gray to co-star in his film, A Man Apart, starring Vin Diesel. But the film and music video sets, swanky Hollywood and New York restaurants and trysts with the celebrities featured in the pages of People and In Touch magazines only touches the surface of Karrine Steffans' life. Her journey is filled with physical abuse, rape, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness and single motherhood—all by the age of 26. By sharing her story, Steffans hopes to shed light on an otherwise romanticised industry and help young women avoid the same pitfalls she encountered. If they're already in danger, she hopes to inspire them to find a way to dig themselves out of what she knows first-hand to be a cycle of hopelessness and despair."

Karrine Steffans (Author), Chanté McCormick, Karrine Steffans, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

That Friend

"Written and performed by "the internet's princess" (Dazed), Sabrina Brier's That Friend is a singular, hilarious full-cast audiobook that follows an aspiring NYC influencer whose advice podcast takes off while her real life falls apart. Sabrina, the self-proclaimed queen of the West Village, feels destined for greatness. While her three best friends have each settled into their careers, she's still working odd jobs to stay afloat. She dreams of channeling her immense creative potential into…something. So she decides to do what no twenty-something has ever done before—start a podcast. She has a knack for giving good advice (even if she can't follow it herself), and as her show gains a following, she gets a taste of the internet stardom she's always dreamed of. Meanwhile, her offline life is falling apart: her dad won't help her pay rent for much longer; her elusive finance bro crush is always just out of reach; even her best friends can't stand by her increasingly chaotic and narcissistic behavior, especially when she uses their real personal issues as juicy material for the show. Will her newfound fans see the cracks in her Instagram-worthy facade? Or is she so delusional that this just might work? Told with the same unique blend of wit, theatrical style, and acute emotional honesty that make her TikTok videos so wildly popular, Sabrina Brier's That Friend explores painfully relatable relationship dynamics, and what it means to be young and fabulous in New York City. Her most ambitious project yet, Sabrina's audio debut is a celebration of female friendship and an unforgettable listening experience. Performed by: Sabrina Brier as Sabrina Sonya Balsara as Varsha Lukas Gage as Brad Kiah McKirnan as Kat Jo Ellen Pellman as Alice Connor Wood as Jack Danielle Brooks as Octavia Knight Nicola Coughlan as Countess Christiana Guillermo Diaz as Parker Rachel Dratch as herself Anthony Ramos as Wolf Michaelson Rachel Zegler as Cece Tyla Collier as Trixie and others Rachel Coster as Jessica Adam Grupper as Sabrina's Dad and Eddy Alejandro Antonio Ruiz as Matt and others Isabella Tagliati as Bella and others Sureni Weerasekera as Jordan"

Sabrina Brier (Author), Adam Grupper, Alejandro Antonio Ruiz, Anthony Ramos, Connor Wood, Danielle Brooks, Guillermo Diaz, Isabella Tagliati, Jo Ellen Pellman, Kiah McKirnan, Lukas Gage, Nicola Coughlan, Rachel Coster, Rachel Dratch, Rachel Zegler, Sabrina Brier, Sonya Balsara, Sureni Weerasekera, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

How to Lose a Best Friend

"This "important and necessary book for our time" (Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be) confronts the myth of the friend zone as a boy in love with his best friend feels he's owed a chance at romance—and she's the only one in their lives who disagrees. For as long as anyone can remember, Zeke Ladoja and Imogen Parker have been best friends. Their classmates, their parents, and even the school custodian think that they're meant to be together. And that's exactly what Zeke wants: for Gen to be his girlfriend. Now that she's about to be sixteen (and allowed to date), Zeke is finally going to tell her how he feels—in front of everyone at her birthday party. Imogen loves Zeke with all her heart, but only as a friend. The pressure to be with Zeke has sometimes been overwhelming, but up to this point, she's been able to manage it. Then she falls for the new boy, Trevor Cook, and she knows the news will devastate Zeke. The last thing she wants to do is hurt her best friend, but she also resents the fact that no one seems to care about what she wants. The night of Gen's party, everything goes wrong. There's backlash, most of it directed at Gen, and Zeke feels emboldened. He isn't about to give up on his feelings, and he'll do whatever it takes to prove that she made the wrong choice…even if it means destroying their friendship. But Gen isn't about to give up on fighting for herself and the freedom to love the boy she wants, not the boy she's expected to be with."

Jordan K. Casomar (Author), Tyla Collier, Zeno Robinson (Narrator)

Audiobook

The First

"After spending four years on death row for the brutal murder of her husband, Sophia Dennison takes her final walk in the Mountain View Facility in Gatesville and is put to death by lethal injection at 12:00 a.m. Several hours after Sophia's execution, FBI agent Mark Armitage is called to investigate a serious disturbance at the prison. Upon arriving he finds the place a war zone. After being debriefed by his friend and partner, Dustin Mercer, he views the videotapes and learns that the source of the destruction is Sophia. Footage reveals that seven minutes after her execution, she miraculously resurrected, breaking free of her bonds and overpowering several guards. Sophia Dennison has escaped and is now on the run… The hunt is on for the first actual superhuman."

Kipjo Ewers (Author), Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

New Nigeria County

""A stupendous full-cast, fully-realized production…Buffered in hilarity, Brown also provides a brilliant exposé of undeniable, inescapable inequity and injustice." —Booklist (starred review) Written and performed by TikTok star Clare Brown, New Nigeria County is a whip-smart, full-cast satire tackling race, gender, and nationalism in today's world. When a white family moves into an affluent Black community, a "misunderstanding" between neighbors escalates until the entire town is swept up in the drama. New Nigeria is a good, clean, all-American town. The husbands are smiling and handsome, the wives are strong, rich, and powerful, and Nat Turner High is the best public school in the state. Yet, the citizens of this idyllic community find themselves in a rapidly changing country and, to be perfectly honest, some of them are a teeny bit uncomfortable with it all. When a New Nigeria community leader Carèn makes a frantic phone call to the local police about a "potential gang member" roaming her cushy Malcolm X Estates neighborhood, it turns out the boy is her new European American neighbor, Jake Smith, and the misunderstanding quickly becomes the talk of the town. While Jake's mom, Meghan, is hurt by her new neighbor's behavior, Carèn works tirelessly to preserve the safety (and the property values) of her beloved community. As the two women work toward their own version of equity, their conflict continues to escalate, setting off a chain of cringe-worthy confrontations that send the good citizens of New Nigeria into a tailspin. New Nigeria County is a hilarious, razor-sharp debut, flipping the script to expose uncomfortable truths through wildly entertaining comedy. This dynamic audiobook, created for the listening experience, is perfect for fans of Abbott Elementary, Dear White People, and Such a Fun Age."

Clare Brown (Author), Alejandra Reynoso, Andrea Jones-Sojola, André Santana, Ayanna Dookie, Brittany Pressley, Clare Brown, David Sadzin, Diana Bustelo, Emana Rachelle, Heather Alicia Simms, Korey Jackson, Malika Samuel, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

On the Art of the Craft: A Guidebook to Collaborative Storytelling

"A writing companion, inspirational guide to the craft, and anthology featuring interactive multi-genre work from the acclaimed organization on its twenty-fifth anniversary. We all have stories to tell, but not everyone gets the mentoring and training or encouragement to become a great storyteller. Founded a quarter century ago, Girls Write Now has empowered young women and gender-expansive youth to harness their creative talents, gaining confidence, skills, and a community supporting them in sharing stories the world needs to hear. This hands-on guide—conceived of and written and edited by the young people of Girls Write Now—draws from the organization’s dynamic curriculum and the writers’ own personal experiences spanning decades. It offers aspiring writers the tools they need to develop their craft—including tips, insight, and advice on the writing and publishing process as well as critical thinking about the future of storytelling. With this handbook, readers everywhere can equip themselves to shape their life stories, and become the writers and leaders they dream of being. Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."

Girls Write Now (Author), Alice Wen, Dana Wing Lau, Elena Rey, Grace Capeless, Karen Chilton, Nicky Endres, Nikki Massoud, Rachel Perry, Tyla Collier (Narrator)

Audiobook

Audiobooks Narrated by Tyla Collier