Coming of Age

Why do we love this genre so much? The internal struggles and growing pains as we listen to main characters who are at best meandering, at worst hurtling towards painful growth. The growth that inevitably comes at a cost be that physical or merely of innocence. 

Yeah, we have no idea, it all sounds vaguely depressing. But then again, maybe not. Maybe we like these stories because they mirror our journeys through our own lives, as we search for meaning and purpose.

Or maybe we want to make Oprah proud and impress her book club. Either way, here are some tales full of transformation and angsty self-discovery. 

The Summer I Turned Pretty – Jenny Han

If one more steamy-ish beach listen before the cold sets in is what you need, then listen up. This is the first in an adorable series (all available on AudiobookSTORE.com) that tells the tumultuous tale of Isabel “Belly” Conklin and her teenage pursuit of the one tricky master we all know; love. Love that shows up in messy, inconvenient, and heartbreaking ways, as she navigates a scorching love triangle between 2 brothers. Expect first kisses, reluctant glances, and of course, cancer because this is a YA romance so naturally we have to expect disease as a plot point. 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime – Mark Haddon

Here we have a listen whose main theme is one of acceptance and perspective. Christopher, our hero, is autistic and throughout most of the book we get a peek into his world of constantly adjusting to fit into “normal” society, often to his own detriment. He is treated differently (and sometimes badly) by others and learns to exist within himself as a means of self-preservation. 

This presentation of the autistic community is refreshing in that it confronts the reader with the idea that it’s not so much Christopher who has the “problem” but the world at large and the adults he interacts with, who aren’t adept to take care of someone whom, while different, is not damaged.

In the end, it’s his autistic tendencies that help him solve a local neighborhood mystery, all the while discovering more about himself, and his relationships along the way. 

Such a Fun Age – Kiley Reid

Here we have multiple coming of ages all intertwined in that most delicate of subjects – race. Emira is a black babysitter for Briar, the daughter of Alix, an up-and-coming blogger and self-described “mom-boss”. A harrowing, embarrassing event perpetuates the central characters to question everything, and when the video of the event is leaked, lines are crossed and none of the established relationships are the same afterward. It calls into question performative allyship, the fetishization of blackness, as well as what it really means to be a friend, partner, and employee. 

Parable of the Sower – Octavia E. Butler 

If climate change is on your mind, you’re not alone. Give this one a listen if you too are feeling some type of way about the state of the earth. Written by the renowned SciFi author Octavia E. Butler, it’s a tale of post-apocalyptic adaptation and a girl on the cusp of womanhood who has to come of age in a dangerous and lawless new landscape. But Lauren has dreams for humanity, and believes that in the end there is hope, but only if we work to keep it.

Thanks for reading! Woof, this was a heavier list, but we think these books are worth a little discomfort if they help you learn and grow! All these audiobooks and more are available now on AudiobookSTORE.com! And make sure to check out our FlexPass Membership for the ultimate roster of podcasts, savings on audiobooks, and more!