A self-proclaimed book nerd with a soft spot for memoirs, feminist thought, and LGBT fiction. Michael has a broad range of interests, mostly because he still can’t decide what to listen to next. And it’s safe to assume that he’s still stuck in that never-ending cycle of starting a new book before finishing the last.

AUDIBLE EDITOR

Michael Collina

A self-proclaimed book nerd with a soft spot for memoirs, feminist thought, and LGBT fiction. Michael has a broad range of interests, mostly because he still can’t decide what to listen to next. And it’s safe to assume that he’s still stuck in that never-ending cycle of starting a new book before finishing the last.

INTERVIEW

Get to Know the Audible Romance Editors

Meet Audible editors Michael and Melissa in the video below, and then come join the conversation by signing up for the Audible Romance Fans Facebook group. You can also find Michael on Twitter.

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Just by Looking at Him

A Novel

By: Ryan O'Connell

Narrated by: Ryan O'Connell

Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins

Release date: 06-07-22

Language: English

203 ratings

The debut novel I didn’t know I was waiting for

As soon as I heard that award-winning screenwriter, memoirist, and actor Ryan O’Connell had his first novel coming out, I knew I had to listen. Written and performed by O’Connell himself, Just by Looking at Him is a biting, hilarious, and at times erotic look at addiction, disability, queerness, and how they all intersect for Elliott, a 30-something gay TV writer with cerebral palsy. It’s a story chock-full of gay cultural references told with O’Connell’s signature snarky wit. But alongside all of those funny moments, there’s an equally important contemplation of the complications and nuance of privilege, personal accountability, and self-love. If you’re a fan of any of O’Connell’s other work, I think you’ll love this listen too.
Playing with Myself

By: Randy Rainbow

Narrated by: Randy Rainbow

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Release date: 04-19-22

Language: English

1,319 ratings

Gurl, get your pink glasses!

Filled with his trademark humor and charm, and featuring a truly eye-catching title, Playing with Myself encapsulates everything I love about celebrity memoirs. From the juicy tidbits of his life and love to a glimpse behind his green screen, Randy Rainbow holds nothing back in this dishy tell-all. Puns and musical anecdotes aside, it’s also an honest and heartfelt exploration of his life and struggles, and a tribute to the women who inspired him. It beautifully celebrates courage, breaking the mold, and loving your authentic self, all told by the comedian himself, and featuring a special guest appearance from his mom, Gwen. It’s the perfect introduction to the man behind those fabulous pink glasses.
The Book of Baraka

By: Ras Baraka, Jelani Cobb

Narrated by: Ras Baraka, Jelani Cobb

Length: 1 hr and 43 mins

Release date: 02-24-22

Language: English

430 ratings

So much more than a political memoir

Whether you know him as the 40th mayor of Newark, New Jersey, or as the son of one of the most influential and controversial poets and revolutionaries of the 1960s and ’70s, you probably have heard of Ras Baraka. Told in collaboration with renowned journalist Jelani Cobb, The Book of Baraka combines poetry and prose with the history that helped to shape Baraka into the man he is today. It’s the story of a young Black boy’s coming of age in Newark, but also of how that boy would later shape his city—first as a poet, then an educator, and now as mayor. As a former resident of Newark myself, I have nothing but praise for Baraka’s accomplishments. But don’t just take it from me. His is a story you definitely don’t want to miss out on, and should be heard from the Mayor himself. So do yourself a favor and listen as soon as possible.
The Other Man

By: Farhad J. Dadyburjor

Narrated by: Ariyan Kassam

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Release date: 11-02-21

Language: English

276 ratings

A feel-good love story—a dash of LGBTQIA+ history

As soon as I heard the premise of The Other Man, I knew I had to give it a listen. Set in modern-day Mumbai, this gay rom-com has it all: a wealthy and attractive hero, a story of secrets and double lives, an arranged marriage, and an incredible love story. I was also lucky enough to sit down with Farhad Dadyburjor to talk about his story, which made me love it even more! Between Ariyan Kassam’s amazing performance and the incorporation of the real-life repeal of the Indian Penal Code’s Section 377, which made it a crime to be gay, this listen is as heartwarming as it is provocative. In other words, I love just about everything about it.
The Love Hypothesis

By: Ali Hazelwood

Narrated by: Callie Dalton, Teddy Hamilton

Series: The Love Hypothesis, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Release date: 09-14-21

Language: English

12,303 ratings

The scientific method meets romance (with a side of fake dating)

Are you looking for a fun, feel-good story that you won’t be able to hit pause on? You just found it. If I didn’t have to sleep, I easily could have listened to The Love Hypothesis in one sitting. Featuring a third-year PhD candidate, a broody professor with a heart of gold, and their fake relationship, this is one of the best romances of the year. Everything about Olive’s and Adam’s lives feels so warm, friendly, and real—all while shining a light on the difficulties of being a woman in the hypermasculine world of STEM. Oh, and did I mention that author Ali Hazelwood is also a professor with a PhD in neuroscience? There’s truly nothing about this listen to dislike. Do yourself a favor and pick it up ASAP, because I think everyone is going to be gushing over this one.
Bath Haus

A Thriller

By: P. J. Vernon

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Daniel Henning

Length: 12 hrs and 8 mins

Release date: 06-15-21

Language: English

1,220 ratings

Another hit from P. J. Vernon

As soon as I heard this thriller pitched as ''Gone Girl with gays and Grindr,'' I knew I had to listen. Bath Haus is a dark, gritty, and suspenseful ride—one twist after the next. At first glance, Oliver and Nathan seem to have the perfect life. But when Oliver goes to a gay bathhouse looking for an anonymous hookup, he finds himself involved in something much more dangerous. As the story unfolds, Oliver spins himself deeper and deeper into a web of lies and bad decisions—all in an attempt to hide his indiscretion and stay alive. Featuring incredible dual performances from Michael Crouch and Daniel Henning, Bath Haus is a twisty queer thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat for all 12 hours.
Burn It All Down

By: Nicolas DiDomizio

Narrated by: Mark Sanderlin

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Release date: 05-25-21

Language: English

87 ratings

A touching mother-son crime spree (with a Jersey Italian twist)

Billed as Gilmore Girls meets Thelma & Louise, with a hint of Jersey Italian charm, Nicolas DiDomizio’s debut lives up to the hype. Featuring a mother-son duo who find themselves on the lam after a wine-fueled crime spree, Burn It All Down is a wacky, thrilling, and unfiltered look at everything from being queer to family, love, and revenge. Although I can’t say my mom and I have ever found ourselves on a crime spree, this story warmed my little gay New Jersey Italian heart. And if that’s not enough, it’s even been endorsed by the king of thrillers himself, James Patterson! Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. Mark Sanderlin’s performance nails the characterization and makes it utterly unputdownable.
I'm in Seattle, Where Are You?

A Memoir

By: Mortada Gzar, William Hutchins - translator

Narrated by: Haaz Sleiman

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Release date: 04-01-21

Language: English

31 ratings

An LGBTIA+ tale of love and bravery

This memoir from Iraqi novelist Mortada Gzar captured my full attention from the very beginning. Gzar offers a nuanced look at living as a closeted gay man in Iraq, when he was a student at the University of Baghdad during the height of the Iraq War, and his unlikely romance with a US soldier stationed there. It’s a tale of love, bravery, resilience, and learning how to be yourself—even when the odds are stacked against you. Detailing the persecution he faced in Iraq for his sexuality and in the United States for his religious and ethnic background, Gzar’s experiences are as remarkable as they are unforgettable. As a gay Muslim himself, narrator Haaz Sleiman wows with a performance that truly does this story justice
Mugabe, My Dad & Me

By: Tonderai Munyevu

Narrated by: Tonderai Munyevu

Length: 1 hr and 11 mins

Release date: 02-11-21

Language: English

583 ratings

A moving one-man show

With a world premiere in audio due to COVID restrictions, this listen has definitely scratched my theater itch. Written and performed by Tonderai Munyevu, this play is the perfect collision of the personal and the political. Belonging to the first generation of Zimbabweans born in an independent nation in the 1980s, Munyevu weaves a story of Africa’s not-so-distant relationship to colonialism and the mass diaspora it caused. With Munyevu as our guide, we’re transported through the rise and eventual fall of President Robert Mugabe alongside the personal history of Munyevu’s own family. Interspersed with cameos from Tony Blair and Mugabe himself, this is truly one of the most moving one-man shows I’ve heard in a long, long time.
All the Young Men

A Memoir of Love, AIDS, and Chosen Family in the American South

By: Ruth Coker Burks, Kevin Carr O'Leary

Narrated by: Ruth Coker Burks

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Release date: 12-01-20

Language: English

333 ratings

The true face of family and allyship

This touching memoir from Ruth Coker Burks tells the reality of the AIDS epidemic as it was actually experienced. As a single mother in her 20s advocating for AIDS awareness and safe sex practices in 1980s and '90s Arkansas, Coker Burks put her and her daughter’s safety on the line to help hundreds of queer men when they needed it most. Nicknamed the "Cemetery Angel," Coker Burks cared for AIDS patients in their final moments when their biological families refused to. She and her work left a bright spot on one of the darkest times for LGBTQIA+ folks. Though it’s a story filled with tragedy and loss, hearing Coker Burks tell her and her guys’ stories infuses some much-needed joy, humor, and spots of optimism where it’s needed most—both past and present.
Fauci

By: Michael Specter

Narrated by: Michael Specter

Length: 3 hrs

Release date: 10-05-20

Language: English

4,000 ratings

Fauci

I think I speak for almost everyone when I say that 2020 has been full of surprises and readjustments as we live through a global pandemic and shift the ways we live, work, and interact with one another. But there’s one man who’s felt it a bit differently than the rest of us: Dr. Anthony Fauci. Appointed director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in 1984, Dr. Fauci has spent the past three decades advising six US presidents on public health issues. Despite this illustrious career, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic that he became a household name—adding a layer of politics and expectation not present before. Written and performed by New Yorker staff writer Michael Specter, this audio biography offers new insight into the man behind the mask, and helps remind folks that he’s struggling as much as—if not more than—the rest of us. Told through a mix of exclusive new interviews with Dr. Fauci, his wife, and his colleagues, and archival tapes, this production truly blurs the lines between podcast and audiobook, and should remind us all to be a little bit kinder.
The Gentleman from Peru

By: André Aciman

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Series: Audible Original Stories

Length: 2 hrs and 39 mins

Release date: 08-31-20

Language: English

4,157 ratings

The love of a lifetime

Combining elements of magical realism with the prose and atmosphere that listeners have come to expect from André Aciman, The Gentleman from Peru proves itself a celebration of love in all its complicated glory. Despite its short length, there's absolutely no lack of characterization. Thanks to Aciman’s prose and Edoardo Ballerini’s performance, you get a great sense of who each character is—including their thoughts, motivations, and the little things that infuriate them. Paired with a beautiful backdrop on the coast of Italy, you won’t need to leave your house to take in the sights, sounds, and sensations of the Mediterranean resort town that Aciman so vividly brings to life.
Date Me, Bryson Keller

By: Kevin van Whye

Narrated by: Vikas Adam

Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins

Release date: 05-19-20

Language: English

1,230 ratings

What makes the perfect (book) boyfriend?

These past few weeks, I’ve been struggling to listen to more than 20 to 30 minutes of any story at a time. But that all changed with this debut from Kevin van Whye. I started listening to Date Me, Bryson Keller with the intention of going to bed after just a few chapters. But before I knew it, hours had passed, I was up way past my bedtime, and the audiobook was just about to end. Though this is a story about coming out, it’s also a cute fake dating story that felt like the perfect balance of escapism and addressing some of the problems still faced by LGBTQIA+ teens. Add in a stellar performance from Vikas Adams, and you’ve got yourself a winner on all fronts. That’s an #ownvoices writer AND performer, folks. Trust me when I say that you don’t want to miss out on this fun, hopeful, and oh-so happy distraction that I already want to listen to again and again.
Only Mostly Devastated

A Novel

By: Sophie Gonzales

Narrated by: Mark Sanderlin

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Release date: 03-03-20

Language: English

423 ratings

Summer loving doesn’t have to end

From the moment I heard about this LGBTQIA+ rom-com inspired by Grease, I was completely enamored. Ollie and Will are everything my little gay heart wished Sandy and Danny were when I was a closeted teen. While I had no trouble spotting the elements inspired by the movie, Sophie Gonzalez succeeded in making Only Mostly Devastated feel delightfully familiar, but decidedly unique. Filled with a diverse cast of characters and dealing with a variety of issues faced by queer teens, this is a story I just wish I had access to earlier in life.
The Gravity of Us

By: Phil Stamper

Narrated by: Michael Crouch, Jonathan Davis, Gabra Zackman, January LaVoy, Angelo Di Loreto, Chris Andrew Ciulla, Dorothy Dillingham Blue, Cynthia Farrell, Soneela Nankani, Sullivan Jones, Bahni Turpin, Phil Stamper

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Release date: 02-04-20

Language: English

638 ratings

An LGBTQIA+ space story, set on Earth

Phil Stamper’s debut combines all of my favorite things: NASA, reality TV, and an LGBTQIA+ love story. Performed by Michael Crouch and a full cast, The Gravity of Us follows the fictional near-future of Orpheus V—NASA’s mission to get humankind on Mars. Though the mission and the astronauts involved play a huge part in this story, it’s two of the astronauts’ kids—Cal and Leon—who are at the heart of it. Being thrust onto the national stage and a reality TV show about the landmark mission, these Astrokids are forced to figure out the rest of their lives and their feelings for one another in front of the entire world. From the insider knowledge and space facts to the frank discussions about family, sexuality, and mental health, Stamper’s debut was truly out of this world (I’m sorry, I had to).
Humble Pi

When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World

By: Matt Parker

Narrated by: Matt Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Release date: 01-21-20

Language: English

2,240 ratings

Perfect for the math nerd AND the math-phobe

Let’s set the record straight: I am embarrassingly bad at math. But I think that’s part of the reason I was so engrossed by this audiobook. Matt Parker takes us through some of the more hilarious—or in some cases, disastrous—examples of what can happen when real-world applications of math go wrong. Parker’s performance of his own work brings out a delightful, almost conversational tone that can, at times, feel like a mathematics-themed standup act. And while some of the mistakes that engineers and mathematicians make don’t excuse my inability to perform simple mental math, it definitely made me feel at least a little bit better about it. Perfect for both the math-lovers and the math-haters out there, Parker presents a new side to what I used to consider my least favorite subject.
The Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky

By: Mackenzi Lee

Narrated by: Christian Coulson

Series: Montague Siblings, Book 1.5

Length: 2 hrs

Release date: 11-26-19

Language: English

449 ratings

This Gentleman’s Guide to Repeat Listening

When I first started working at Audible, The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue was the very first story that a colleague recommend. (Big shout out to editor Katie for that one!) In addition to being one of my favorite love stories, it also happens to feature one of my favorite performances. Christian Coulson (a.k.a. a young Tom Riddle from your other favorite series) swept me off my feet with his portrayal of a young, but still very rakish, Lord Monty and his best-friend-turned-lover, Percy. While we manage to catch a glimpse of their life together in Felicity’s story, The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy, that cameo still left me wanting more from this dynamic duo. And it’s finally here! I can already tell that this will be an adventure I’ll be listening to over and over again.
Find Me

A Novel

By: André Aciman

Narrated by: Michael Stuhlbarg

Series: Call Me By Your Name, Book 2

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Release date: 10-29-19

Language: English

1,242 ratings

Like catching up with old friends

I won’t lie, when I first heard a sequel to Call Me by Your Name< was in the works, I was a little nervous. But I was also excited. Fast forward a couple months, and I’ve already listened twice. Though Aciman’s prose is as beautiful as ever, Michael Stuhlbarg’s performance elevates the story beyond my wildest expectations. Celebrating love in all of its complex forms, Find Me is so much more than a continuation of Oliver’s and Elio’s stories. Plus, the audio version includes a bonus conversation between the author and narrator that I was lucky enough to attend. So if you listen closely, you may just hear me on the laugh track (kidding). But seriously, this story is well worth the hype and I need more people to listen—I’m dying to talk to someone about it.
The Liar's Daughter

By: Megan Cooley Peterson

Narrated by: Melissa Moran

Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins

Release date: 09-10-19

Language: English

2,723 ratings

Some backstories are darker than others

There’s something so morbidly fascinating about cults. As the nonfiction editor here at Audible, I’ve listened to my fair share of nonfiction stories about these kinds of groups, but never really made the plunge into fictional accounts. Told in a dual timeline, this debut from Meghan Cooley Peterson was dark and suspenseful, with just the right amount of intrigue and emotion—which was only amplified by Melissa Moran’s performance. And, it’s paired with a deeply personal and touching author’s note at the end of the story.Anyone interested in cults or the deprogramming that occurs after leaving would be doing themselves a disservice to skip this one.
Going Dutch

A Novel

By: James Gregor

Narrated by: Michael David Axtell

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Release date: 08-20-19

Language: English

35 ratings

A beautiful (and uncomfortable) exploration of the urban millennial experience

This debut from James Gregor perfectly captures the utter confusion of the urban millennial (and LGBTQIA+) experience. With an often-frustrating cast of characters and one bad decision after another, there are elements of this story that almost feel like a thriller—though it’s entirely about relationships in the age of online dating. With its beautiful and stylized prose and pointed examinations of the fluidity of sexuality, labels, and everyday life, Going Dutch blends some of my favorite elements of romantic comedies, thrillers, and literary fiction into one story. And while it may be difficult to categorize, there’s just something about the story and narrator Michael David Axtell’s heartfelt performance that keeps you engaged and curious until the very last second.