She released the tracklist on Feb 15 on her Instagram, with the caption reading, “April 19 🤍.”

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In case you haven’t caught on by now, Swift seemingly has hidden details and everything; nothing is a coincidence to the creations that she makes. As soon as this album was announced, people instantly went into theory mode: With many dissecting her Grammys look at where she announced the album (many believing were in her jilted bride era after she hinted that her ex Joe Alwyn didn’t want to marry her, per Brides), how this is the ultimate breakup album after her six-year relationship ended, and more.

Don’t even get us started on the date of the release, April 19th, because eagle-eyed fans have already noticed the significance of that date. (If you need to know, April 19th could refer to the date April 19th, 1775, which was the start of the American Revolution; with many thinking this is a parallel to her and her British ex Alwyn calling it quits).

But not only are her looks and the timeline sending fans into a frenzy, it is the tracklist itself. With the release of the tracklist, we see all of the names of the upcoming songs, and people are already theorizing the meanings, theories, and parallels behind each of them.

Quite frankly, it’s a bit overwhelming on the Taylor Swift side of the internet, but this is where we come in: we’ve been dissecting and looking through the biggest theories about each tracklist and put them all here for you to catch up on.

After news broke about the alternative bonus track “The Bolter” being announced, we’re looking through all the track meanings once again.

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So, while we’re gearing up for April 19th, check out the biggest theories attached to each track list from Swift’s upcoming album, The Tortured Poets Department.

Audiobooks are one of the best ways to get your daily dose of reading in without keeping a book in hand. Rather, keeping all the books on hand. You can put one on in the car, on the train, at the gym, or while trying to pass the time at work. Regardless of where you’re listening, there’s no denying the convenience of having your favorite books narrated. Luckily, the best audiobook apps give you access to millions of titles, from biographies to fiction; there’s a pick for every book lover. And now, Amazon’s Audible platform isn’t the only service out there for downloading a new read. There are many services that provide you with audiobooks that you can download to your Kindle, Android, or iOS phone.

The Best Audiobook Apps, at a Glance

Best Subscription-Free Audiobook App: Chirp Audiobooks
Best Affordable Subscription Audiobook App: Audiobooks.com
Most Popular Audiobook App: Audible
Best Free Audiobook App: Libby
Best Lesser-Known Audiobook App for Good Reads: Spotify
Best Audiobook App With A Sleep Timer: Hoopla
Best Audiobook App for Classic Reads: Loyal Books
Best Audiobook App for Downloads: LibriVox Audio Books
Best Free Streaming Audiobook App: YouTube
Best Pay for What You Use Audiobook App: Kobo Books

Is there a free app like audible?

It’s no secret that Audible is the most popular app for listening to audiobooks, but there are a handful of other top platforms that help you access your favorite books digitally. Sites like Chirp, Spotify, Libby, Hoopla, and more offer more cost-friendly ways to listen to your favorite authors. Even though most apps require a monthly subscription, we’ve also discovered apps that are completely free and accessible via your library card. You can even find a book to get lost in on Spotify or YouTube, too.

Ahead, learn more about the best audiobook apps with options for every budget.

BEST SUBSCRIPTION-FREE AUDIOBOOK APP

Chirp Audiobooks

Buy Now $14.99

Chirp Audiobooks allows you to listen to thousands of audiobooks at a fraction of the cost. The site features limited-time deals on select digital audiobooks. You can also depend on other items on Chirp, like books that aren’t part of the deals and gift cards. And like other platforms, you don’t have to commit to a monthly subscription fee, so you won’t waste money monthly on books you don’t read. All you have to do is sign up using your email address and customize your book selection; that’s it! No inputting your credit info to register your account. Right now, you can snag The Woman in Me By Britney Spears for 40 percent off.

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BEST AFFORDABLE SUBSCRIPTION AUDIOBOOK APP

Audiobooks.com

Buy Now $14.95

Browse over 425,000 digital books with your monthly Audiobooks.com subscription. For $14.95 a month, you get one audiobook credit and one VIP book credit. Better yet, you can cancel at any time without penalties and extra charges. But if you don’t want to commit to a monthly plan, you can purchase your books individually or try the service’s free 30-day trial that grants you access to three free audiobooks. Better yet, the app also offers. 10,000 free audiobooks.

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MOST POPULAR AUDIOBOOK APP

Audible

$14.95

Buy Now

Powered by Amazon, Audible is one of the most popular audiobook services. A monthly subscription starts at $14.95 and provides millions of book titles to keep you busy throughout your day. The subscription renews every 30 days, but you can cancel anytime. Right now, a limited-time offer includes three months free with a monthly subscription, meaning you won’t be charged until your three months are up!

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BEST FREE AUDIOBOOK APP

Libby

$0

Buy Now

For those looking for a free way to get lost in a good book, consider Libby. The audiobook app works similarly to how your local library works. Libby works based on your library card — just input your library card information or get connected with a local branch in your area to get started. From there, you can browse Libby’s vast range of novels, documentaries, and more for free. “There are no subscription costs, no in-app purchases, and no late fees,” Libby says. And don’t worry about “returning” the books; the digital titles automatically get re-shelved on your date.

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BEST LESSER-KNOWN AUDIOBOOK APP FOR GOOD READS

Spotify

$3-$20

Buy Now

Aside from some of the best playlists and tunes you can pop on to jam out to, you can also listen to top audiobook titles and over 200,000 more books on Spotify. There is no dedicated Spotify audiobook subscription, instead, it’s pay-as-you-order. Some start as low as $3 and range up to $20, making this app pricier than other options.

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BEST AUDIOBOOK APP WITH A SLEEP TIMER

Hoopla

$0

Buy Now

Hoopla is similar to Libby — both connect you with audiobooks using your library card. With this app, you can read your titles in-app or download them to share offline. The service even has a feature where you can place a bookmark to keep your place. You can also set your playback speed and set a sleep timer. And it’s completely free, too.

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BEST AUDIOBOOK APP FOR CLASSIC READS

Loyal Books

$0

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Loyal Books is a free public domain that’s packed with the classics, all for free. This audiobook app offers more than 7,000 books including Pride and Prejudice, Moby Dick, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, to name a few.

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BEST AUDIOBOOK APP FOR DOWNLOADS

LibriVox Audio Books

$0

Buy Now

There’s no shortage of free audiobook apps, and LibriVox Audio Books is another to add to your list. Like Loyal Books, this platform is “free for anyone to listen to, on their computers, iPods or other mobile device, or to burn onto a CD,” LibriVox says.

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BEST FREE STREAMING AUDIOBOOK APP

YouTube

$0-$13.99

Buy Now

Youtube is another excellent video source, but did you know you can also access plenty of audiobooks? You can access the nooks by uploading them as video files, but there is one catch: Most of the books are already available on public domains, so finding newer releases can be challenging. If you’d like access to more services, you can upgrade your plan to YouTube Premium for $13.99 a month.

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BEST PAY FOR WHAT YOU USE AUDIOBOOK APP

Kobo Books

$7.99-$9.99

Buy Now

If you’re seeking an audiobook option that includes free and paid-for options, check out Kobo Books. The app allows you to search the catechol and add picks to your wishlist to always remember your next read. With Kobo Books, you can pay for your books or Selce a few different plans: Kobo Plus $9.99 a month(unlimited. listening and reading), Kobo Plus Read $7.99 (ebooks only), and Kobo Plus Listen $7.99 (audiobooks only).

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Before you go, shop some of our favorite items on Amazon below.

And, as any great book club would do, Reese Witherspoon‘s notorious book club has selected a series of mystery novels over the years. From Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon and Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister to Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, these are all books that will keep you guessing with every page turn.

When the actress announced her latest mystery recommendation in 2024, First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston., she couldn’t stop gushing about how gripping the novel was. “It’s such a fun read, there’s so many twists and turns and I just couldn’t put it down,” Witherspoon said.

So, in honor of Witherspoon’s undying love for mysteries, check out her best mystery recommendations below!

You’re probably here for one of two reasons: 1. You just finished reading the A Court of Thorns and Roses series and are desperate to fill the bat-boy-sized hole in your heart, or 2. A wise and kind Sarah J. Maas (SJM) expert did you a favor and advised you to read Throne of Glass before ACOTAR. No matter the reason, we’re glad you’re here because there are many ways to read the Throne of Glass series and we’re going to break them all down for you so you can choose which experience you want to get from the series. Either way, we advise you to stock up on tissues because the emotional roller coaster you’re about to embark on is unlike any other, with only the strongest making it through to the end. And don’t worry, all of this info is coming to you completely spoiler-free.

There are three popular ways to read Throne of Glass: the chronological order (this is also frequently referred to as the purist order), the romantic order, and the emotional order. The author of the series, Sarah J. Maas, recently revealed her preferred reading order as well, but we’ll get into that later. The different reading orders all revolve around the book (which is technically a prequel to the series) The Assassin’s Blade. When you choose to read The Assassin’s Blade in the series can impact whether the story has a greater emotional or romantic effect on your Throne of Glass journey. There is no right or wrong way to read the series, so don’t stress yourself out. You can also read two of the books, Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn in tandem (I highly recommend doing this), but we’ll save that for later too.

'Throne of Glass' Series by Sarah J. Maas

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The Chronological or Purist Order

This one is pretty simple and has you read The Assassin’s Blade first because the events in the book take place before Throne of Glass. You’ll read the series in this order:

Everyone has a different opinion on when to read The Assassin’s Blade, but this is a good option if you want to read the series in the order that all of the events take place. Some people say Throne of Glass will be confusing if you don’t read The Assassin’s Blade first, but I disagree. I skipped The Assassin’s Blade entirely the first time I read Throne of Glass and I never felt confused.

The Romantic Order

If you are reading this series for the romance first and the plot second, this is probably the order you’ll want to choose. You will read the series in this order:

The Emotional Order

Honestly, no matter which way you read this series, it’s going to be emotional. You’re signing up for a wild ride that will most likely put your heart through the shredder, but if you’re reading this for the plot first and the romance second, this is the likely the order you’ll want to choose. You’ll read the series in this order:

Just a few weeks ago, Sarah J. Maas, updated her website before the drop of her newest novel, House of Flame and Shadow (a Crescent City novel), and the update included her preferred Throne of Glass reading order. Like a lot of readers, Maas herself recommends reading The Assassin’s Blade after Crown of Midnight, but as I stated earlier, there is no wrong way to read it so you can choose your own adventure.

The Tandem Read

OK, this probably feels overwhelming — it isn’t. The events of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn take place during the exact same time. Empire of Storms follows one set of characters through the timeline and Tower of Dawn follows a second set of characters through the same timeline. The tandem read combines the two books into one linear timeline and is critical for a few reasons. Most importantly, Empire of Storms ends on an absolutely mind-blowing cliffhanger and if you don’t read the two books at the same time, you’ll have to read all 663 pages of Tower of Dawn before you find out what happens after that cliffhanger. Some people end up skipping Tower of Dawn entirely because they can’t wait to find out what happens in Kingdom of Ash — do not do this. Tower of Dawn is not only an incredible book you’ll regret skipping, but it is loaded with vital information that holds clues to all three of Maas’ series. To read the books in tandem, you’ll read the chapters in this order:

If you’re a fan of model and actress Kaia Gerber, then you know that one of her favorite things to do is read and share her favorite books with her followers. Over the years, in addition to a growing community around her book club, Cindy Crawford’s mini-me daughter has also gone on to interview some of the world’s most talked about authors.

Most recently, in addition to continuing her fan-loved book club, Gerber made things official and named her book club “Library Science” with the release of its very first webpage and social media profile. “Over the last three years, this book club has become the catalyst for dialogue over race, sex, loss, consent, motherhood, girlhood, queerness, addiction, abuse, climate change, and intersectionality among other topics,” the official website states. “We’ve covered debut fiction, short stories, translations, essays, memoirs, plays, and poetry.”

“Moving forward, our mission is simple: get young people reading,” the page continues. “Library Science will continue to curate books that aren’t on the typical bestseller lists in order to better highlight new voices, writers to watch, overlooked, or underrepresented stories – and for greater context, we will occasionally throw in a classic that might better inform contemporary work.”

And, not long after launching the website, Gerber revealed her first Library Science book pick: Martyr!: A Novel by Kaveh Akbar.

“I actually don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for a book club,” the Bottoms star said before introducing Akbar in their interview. “It’s a story about art, theology, mythology with humor and a profound sensitivity woven throughout. I know, without a doubt in my heart, that this book is going to be so so so massive.”

'Martyr!: A Novel' by Kaveh Akbar

Buy Now On Amazon $25.20

Gerber then went on to summarize the book’s story. “The novel primarily follows Cyrus, a newly sober queer poet who is the orphaned son of Iranian immigrants,” she explained. “Cyrus becomes obsessed with martyrs and the idea of making your life and death mean something.”

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Shortly after bringing in Akbar for their talk, Gerber was clearly beaming with excitement. “I nerded out so much over your book that I went on your Instagram after – this is before we even knew we’d be having this conversation– and I saw that you announced that if you pre-order from your local indie bookstore, you would be signing the copies and I ordered like five copies!” Gerber admitted. “No way, that’s awesome,” Akbar replied.

“I had to stop myself from immediately going back and rereading it right after finishing it, I mourned it before it was even over but I’ve had sufficient time with it now,” she said. “I cannot believe this is your first novel.”

Without giving too much away from the book and their conversation (check it out HERE!), make sure to get your copy of Martyr! today!

Before you go, click here to see 10 of Reese Witherspoon’s best book club picks.

One of the most iconic names, one of the most intriguing and heartbreaking stories of a star, is unequivocally Marilyn Monroe. When one thinks of Monroe, they either think of her sex icon status, her untimely death, or the tortured soul she was behind the camera. Even though she passed away in 1962, she continues to inspire and mystify fans from all around the world over 60 years later.

Did you know she was an amazing cook? Did you know the last book she read was To Kill a Mockingbird? That she lived in London and did a love scene with Clark Gable? All of that and so much more can be found in the catalogs of biographies dedicated to the star.

Whether you want to know about her tumultuous relationships or first-hand accounts from her half-sister, we found the best books to read. From the book that the Netflix film Blonde is based on to her unfinished autobiography, these books will give you a glimpse of Monroe that you may never know existed.

Check out our top book picks on Monroe’s life, and get lost in the crazy, head-spinning world of Monroe.

A version of this article was originally published on Sept 2022. 

Finding the best audiobook for your next road trip is not easy feat but it is essential for making the time pass while you drive.

While going on a road trip with friends, your significant other or your family might be a great way to talk and really bond, the idea of spending countless hours chatting and entertaining each other can be quite daunting. And if playing music and taking naps isn’t enough, might we interest you in some audiobooks?

To make things a little easier we’ve split our recommendations into categories:

1. Best Audiobooks for Couples Road Trips
2. Best Audiobooks for Family Road Trips
3. Best Non-Fiction Audiobooks for Road Trips
4. Best Funny Audiobooks for Road Trips
5. Best Mystery Audiobooks for Road Trip

Whether you’re looking for a book to laugh, cry, learn, or have your head spinning in a mystery, audiobooks might be the perfect way to distract and make time fly by on any road trip. So, with that said, we’ve compiled some of our favorite audiobooks below, separating them into categories including family reads, couple reads, funny reads, and much more. Some of the titles include the inspiring Call You When I Land by Nikki Vargas, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry and First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.

Here Are the Best Audiobooks for Roadtrips

Reese Witherspoon‘s February book club pick has been revealed and we’re so excited to read it! Witherspoon named DéLana R. A. Dameron’s debut novel, Redwood Court, as her second pick of 2024. The book follows Witherspoon’s January choice, First Lie Wins.

“I’m so excited to reveal it to you,” Witherspoon said in an Instagram post announcing the selection. “It’s set in the 1990s and it’s a collection of vignettes, all centered around this southern Black family, told from the youngest daughter’s point of view, her name is Mika. It’s all about home and a sense of belonging. I can’t wait for you to read it.”

'Redwood Court' by DéLana R. A. Dameron

$28.00

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All told through the eyes of Mika Tabor, the youngest member of her family, the book explores the lives and experiences of her all-Black working class cul-de-sac. From her grandparents, who were children in the Jim Crow era, to her sister, who would rather listen to Alanis Morissette than Motown, Mika’s stories beautifully convey the importance of joy and being seen.

“This book is filled with a sense of nostalgia as Mika takes us down memory lane, sharing stories of her Southern Black family through a collection of vivid vignettes,” Witherspoon’s caption read.

Dameron sets the novel in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, and though it is her debut fiction book, it is far from her first work. The New York-based writer is an award-winning poet and has published several poetry collections.

Dameron’s book is already receiving high praise including from The New York Times who wrote that the book “delivers the kind of choral experience” seen in works like “James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store and Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge.” They continued: “Reading Redwood Court feels like wandering down a street, stopping to listen to different voices, for better and for worse.”

Before you go, click here to see 10 of Reese Witherspoon’s best book club picks.

Why are we so obsessed with the British royal family? Maybe it’s a toxic ex thing — they are the ultimate One Who Got Away, colonially speaking — but I’m inclined to think it has more to do with what being a royal ultimately entails. When you’re a royal, your whole life is dictated by custom and tradition, from where you live to what you wear and who you marry. And anyone who watches enough reality TV knows that no one will go through life with those kinds of restrictions without serious drama. But those darn tight-lipped royals are intent on not letting the public see what goes on behind the mirage — and that’s exactly where our favorite royal tell-all books come in.

At the heart of what makes all royal bios so compelling is the sense of pulling back the curtain and really getting to know the people carrying out these same traditions year in and year out. Only the people themselves vary, each rebelling against and taking up their royal duties in unique ways — from King Charles III’s shocking dalliance with Queen Camilla to Prince Harry and Prince William’s long-rumored feud, and, of course, the bombshell to the firm that was Meghan Markle.

At royal appearances, it’s all smiles and curtsies. And no one but these royal biographers, royal reporters, and other insiders are quite so invested in telling the story of who the royal family is as a real family — brothers, in-laws, and a 75-year-old grandfather who’s just now living out his dreams. That’s what we want to know more about — and that’s exactly the kind of inside look these tell-all books give us.

Read on for all the best royal reads we’re loving right now.

A version of this article was originally published in October 2020.

While there are many ways to celebrate Black History Month this February, one sure way to learn and celebrate Black culture might be through reading. Whether that is reading fiction stories depicting Black love, or reading non-fiction books about how American history has been white-washed, reading can surely expand one’s mind more than any other form of media.

For James McBride, the author of one of 2023’s most talked about books The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, making sure the reader connects to his characters has nothing to do with race, but with humanity. “If you’re a writer and you’re writing about race, the best thing you can do is forget about it and deal with the humanity of characters,” the bestselling author told PBS. “You know what the boundaries are.”

“Now you have to see which characters can kick up against those boundaries or illuminate those boundaries, so — to make your story go,” he added. “So I look at it from that point of view and also from the point of view that cynicism is like — cynicism in a story is toxic. You have to really have a desire to see the good in people, to them push past their boundaries.”

To check out our book recommendations for this month, in collaboration with Goodreads, scroll below!