New Audiobooks In Sora!

Take a look at the CA Library collection in your Sora account — you’ll find thousands of eBooks and audiobooks across many different genres, including:

…and more! You can also browse the latest audiobooks in Sora, including these new titles:

The Darkness RisesThe Darkness Rises by Stacy Stokes — A gripping speculative thriller perfect for fans of Lauren Oliver and Ginny Myers Sain, about one girl with the power to see death before it happens — and the terrible consequences she faces when saving someone goes wrong.

“A subtle commentary on the aftermath of gun violence” (Kirkus Reviews).


Every Time You Hear That SongEvery Time You Hear That Song by Jenna Voris — Seventeen-year-old aspiring journalist Darren Purchase has been a lifelong fan of country music legend Decklee Cassel, who’s as famous for her classic hits as she is for her partnership with songwriter Mickenlee Hooper. The same Mickenlee who mysteriously backed out of the limelight at the height of their careers, never to be heard from again. Now Decklee’s televised funeral marks the unveiling of her long-awaited time capsule.

“Discoveries of love, legacy, and self take center stage in this musical tapestry of a novel” (Kirkus Reviews).


Hearts Still BeatingHearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer — Two teen girls, Mara and Rory, navigate a complex web of love, infection, and survival as they reunite in an experimental resettlement program, grappling with their pasts and the looming threat of the virus that once transformed Mara into a monster.

“Perfect for fans of The Last of Us looking for a queer take on the classic zombie story” (Booklist).


In Every GenerationIn Every Generation (Buffy, The Next Generation, Book 1) by Kendare Blake — Return to Sunnydale in a brand-new series set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Frankie Rosenberg wasn’t yet alive when her mom, Willow, her aunt Buffy, and the original Scooby Gang destroyed the Hellmouth and saved the world from the First Evil. Frankie is just trying to survive her sophomore year at the rebuilt high school and use her budding magical powers to make the world a better place. But that world is suddenly plunged into danger when the slayer community is the target of a deadly attack.

“A worthy successor to the Slayer stories, and succeeds both as a love letter to existing fans and as a welcoming entry point for new readers” (Booklist).


Made GloriousMade Glorious by Lindsay Eagar — In a vicious, delicious contemporary novel inspired by Shakespeare’s Richard III, the lauded author of The Family Fortuna lifts the curtain on a high school thespian who’ll stop at nothing to land the lead.

“An ominous homage with a morally corrupt lead who puts her own desires above all others” (School Library Journal).


The Misdirection of Fault LinesThe Misdirection of Fault Lines by Anna Gracia — Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants goes to the French Open in an emotionally honest and openhearted novel for fans of Yamile Saied Mendez and Mary HK Choi. Three teen girls compete at an elite tennis tournament for a shot at their dreams — if only they knew what their dreams were.

“Via the trio’s alternating first-person POVs, Gracia — a former D1 collegiate player — imbues the narrative with insider knowledge and traces the competition as the girls move through their draws and navigate romance, racism, and friendship” (Publishers Weekly).


The Night in QuestionThe Night In Question (An Agathas Mystery) by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson — When Iris and Alice’s high school dance at the infamous Levy Castle, the site of starlet Mona Moody’s unsolved death in the 1940s, is interrupted by a violent assault, they pull out their murder boards and get back to work.

“A delight for teen Poirots, chock-full of puzzling clues and swirling tensions” (Kirkus Reviews).


Teenage DirtbagsTeenage Dirtbags by James Acker — A hilarious novel about an unlikely group of teens coming together to exact revenge on the person who wronged them. When Cameron Ellis dumps Phil Reyno and torpedoes his already-iffy reputation in the process, Phil hatches a plot to expose Cameron as the two-faced liar he truly is, recruiting his old pal Jackson Pasternak to help.

“A well-plotted and appealing mash-up of revenge and love stories” (Kirkus Reviews).


Total Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our WorldTotal Garbage: How We Can Fix Our Waste and Heal Our World by Edward Humes — An investigative narrative that dives into the waste embedded in our daily lives — and shows how individuals and communities are making a real difference for health, prosperity, quality of life and the fight against climate change.

“An engrossing, practical guide to living healthier, less improvident lives and benefiting the planet by doing so” (Kirkus Reviews).


Wild Life: Finding My Purpose in an Untamed WorldWild Life: Finding My Purpose In An Untamed World by Rae Wynn-Grant — Growing up in the diverse and bustling California Bay Area, renowned wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant always felt worlds away from the white male adventurers she watched explore the wilderness on TV. She dreamed of a future where she could spend sleepless nights under the crowded canopies of the Amazon and the starry skies of the savanna. But as Rae set off on her own expeditions in the wild, she saw natures delicate balance in a new light.

“A must-read for women of color and all who care about the environment and the pursuit of science” (Booklist).

Spoiler-Free Book Reviews For April!

We’re back with another edition of spoiler-free book reviews for some of the latest titles in the CA Library collection — look for them in the New Books Section!

As always, if you want to check out what’s in the collection, head over to the CA Library Catalog. And if you like the reviewer, show them some love by subscribing to their YouTube channel!

We’ve also indicated if the book reviewed is available in the Sora digital reading app as an eBook and/or audiobook.

Let’s get to the reviews!

Call Me Iggy by Jorge Aguirre — Reviewed by Graphic Policy


Okay, this one’s not really a review, but a chance for Victoria Aveyard to spill the tea about Fate Breaker, the final book in her best-selling Realm Breaker trilogy!

Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook


A Firehose of Falsehood: The Story of Disinformation by Teri Kanefield — Reviewed by Graphic Policy


The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha — Reviewed by Graphic Policy


Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth, Book 1) by Kristen Ciccarelli — Reviewed by ry reads

Get the Audiobook

April Is National Arab American Heritage Month!

“During the month of April, the Arab America Foundation formally recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). Across the country, cultural institutions, school districts, municipalities, state legislatures, public servants, and non-profit organizations issue proclamations and engage in special events that celebrate our community’s rich heritage and numerous contributions to society” (Arab America Foundation).

CA Library recognizes the rich cultural heritage of Arab Americans by highlighting books, eBooks and audiobooks by Arab American authors and featuring Arab American characters…

Call me American : the extraordinary true story of a young Somali immigrant Call Me American: The Extraordinary True Story of a Young Somali Immigrant by Abdi Nor Iftin — Adapted from the adult memoir, an intimate portrait of modern immigration describes how the author’s family was forced by war to leave their home in Somalia before he received an opportunity to win the annual U.S. visa lottery. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“This remarkable, nuanced story facilitates a deeper understanding of immigration today” (Kirkus Reviews). 


City of refugees : the story of three newcomers who breathed life into a dying American town City of Refugees: The Story of Three Newcomers Who Breathed Life into a Dying American Town by Susan Hartman — The story of three newcomers – a rebellious Somali Bantu girl, a Bosnian woman who runs a home bakery, and an Iraqi interpreter haunted by war – as they adapt to life in an old manufacturing city: Utica, NY. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“Hartman draws an intimate and captivating portrait of the struggle to build new lives while holding on to old values” (Publishers Weekly). 


From here : a memoir From Here: A Memoir by Luma Mufleh — In her coming-of-age memoir, refugee advocate Luma Mufleh writes of her tumultuous journey to reconcile her identity as a gay Muslim woman and a proud Arab-turned-American refugee. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A poignant glimpse into human imperfections and the struggle to find one’s place in the world” (Kirkus Reviews). 


Here to stay Here To Stay by Sara Farizan — When a cyberbully sends the entire high school a picture of basketball hero Bijan Majidi, photo-shopped to look like a terrorist, the school administration promises to find and punish the culprit, but Bijan just wants to pretend the incident never happened and move on. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A diverse cast of well-developed supporting characters, including several who Bijan thinks might be the cyberbully, add a suspenseful mystery to this top-notch high school drama” (Publishers Weekly). 


I was their American dream : a graphic memoir I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir by Malaka Gharib — The daughter of parents with unfulfilled dreams themselves, Malaka navigated her childhood chasing her parents’ ideals, learning to code-switch between her family’s Filipino and Egyptian customs, while adapting to white culture to fit in.

“This engaging memoir is an uplifting ode to Gharib’s bicultural background, her immigrant parents, and her road to self-acceptance” (School Library Journal).


Man o' war Man o’ War by Cory McCarthy — On a field trip to SeaPlanet, seventeen-year-old Arab-American high school swimmer River McIntyre has a chance encounter with Indy, a happy, healthy queer person, which sets off a wrenching journey of self-discovery. Get the eBook | Get the Audiobook

“A thoughtful, nuanced exploration of what it’s like to feel trapped-and how to make it out” (Publishers Weekly). 


Not the girls you're looking for Not the Girls You’re Looking For by Aminah Mae Safi — Lulu Saad, a Muslim-American teen, goes into denial mode about her role in an out-of-control party that occurred during Ramadan, a situation that escalates until she incurs damage that is harder to repair, forcing her to come to terms with her true self.

“Delightful and funny but still giving voice to serious issues of sexual consent and xenophobia” (Kirkus Reviews).


Out of nowhere Out Of Nowhere by Maria Padian — Performing community service for pulling a stupid prank against a rival high school, soccer star Tom tutors a Somali refugee with soccer dreams of his own. Get the eBook

“A sensitive, sympathetic, and insightful portrayal of the plight of new immigrants attempting to acculturate while being forced to deal with casual bigotry” (Booklist). 


Outcasts united : the story of a refugee soccer team that changed a town Outcasts United: The Story of a Refugee Soccer Team That Changed a Town by Warren St. John — American-educated Jordanian Luma Mufleh founds a youth soccer team comprised of children from Liberia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkan states, and elsewhere in the refugee settlement town of Clarkston, Georgia, bringing the children together to discover their common bonds as they adjust to life in a new homeland.

“Respecting cultural differences, building a global community, and the importance of getting involved are powerful, motivating messages that will resonate with all readers, not just soccer fans” (School Library Journal).


Tasting the sky : a Palestinian childhood Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood by Ibtisam Barakat — Palestinian-American author Ibtisam Barakat describes her childhood as a Palestinian refugee, discussing her family’s experiences during and after the Six-Day War, and the freedom she felt at learning to read and write.

“A compassionate, insightful family and cultural portrait” (Kirkus Reviews).


Balcony on the moon : coming of age in Palestine Balcony on the Moon: Coming of Age In Palestine by Ibtisam Barakat — Picking up where Tasting the Sky left off, Balcony on the Moon follows Ibtisam Barakat through her childhood and adolescence in Palestine from 1972-1981 and chronicles her desire to be a writer.

“A pervasive sense of loss informs much of Barakat’s childhood, with a growing realization that no promising future exists for her or her siblings in Palestine. A poetic, deeply felt coming-of-age story” (Kirkus Reviews).


We hunt the flame We Hunt The Flame by Hafsah Faizal — Disguising herself as a man to hunt food for her people in the cursed and forbidden forest, a Hunter in a fantasy realm inspired by ancient Arabia is targeted by the Prince of Death, who would kill her for her disobedience to an autocratic king and claim the powerful artifact she seeks. Get the Audiobook

“Layering high-stakes action with moods ranging from casual humor to raw anguish, Faizal bends fantasy tropes to her will to tell a fresh and gripping story about love, honor, and self-discovery” (Booklist). 

For even more great titles by Arab American authors, stop by CA Library and check out the ReadBox book display! Plus, you can browse this collection of eBooks and audiobooks in your Sora account.