Audio Book Month 2026 - Stories You Hear Come to Life
Audiobook Month 2026 is coming to EveryLibrary Live! with three nights of conversations celebrating storytelling, narration, performance, and the growing cultural impact of audiobooks.
From June 15–17, readers, listeners, librarians, and publishing professionals are invited to join live and on-demand sessions featuring bestselling authors, award-winning narrators, producers, and audiobook creators from across the industry.
This year’s event, "Stories You Hear Come to Life", highlights the artistry and accessibility of audiobooks while celebrating the libraries that help connect readers and listeners to these stories every day.
Featured guests include Ash Perez, John Kenney, Jane Hamilton, Helen Laser, Kelsey Impicciche, Natalie Naudus, and Soman Chainani, along with audiobook producers and special guests from leading publishing houses and audio studios, including Anne Fonteneau (Blackstone) and the Choose Your Own Adventure Audio team.
Audiobook Month 2026 is made possible through the support and participation of major publishing and audiobook partners, including Simon & Schuster, Zibby Media, HarperCollins, Blackstone Publishing, Penguin Random House, and the team behind the iconic Choose Your Own Adventure audiobooks.
Each evening will be guest-hosted by Gigi Howard from the hit podcast "Drinks in the Library" and Becky Spratford of RA for All and author of the recently released "Why I Love Horror". Together, they bring deep readers’ advisory expertise, energy, and a passion for connecting audiences with books, authors, and audio storytelling.
RSVP NOW to get a reminder and links each day to these exciting programs.
Event Schedule
Monday, June 15
5:00 PM EDT — Speak Now: Love, Loss, and Second Chances in Full Cast Audio
Featuring Ash Perez discussing the queer romance novel Speak Now and its immersive full-cast audiobook production featuring performers including Jena Malone and Bahni Turpin. Sponsored by Simon & Schuster.
7:00 PM EDT — Finding Your Way: Humor, Heart, and Reinvention, Read and Heard
A conversation with John Kenney and Jane Hamilton about storytelling, reinvention, and the audiobook experience. Sponsored by Zibby Media.
Tuesday, June 16
5:00 PM EDT — Choose Your Own Adventure Audio Experience
An interactive look at how the beloved Choose Your Own Adventure books became immersive audiobook adventures, preserving the spirit of reader choice in audio form.
7:00 PM EDT — Behind the Mic: The Art of Audiobook Narration with Helen Laser
Award-winning narrator Helen Laser shares insights into performance, character development, and the emotional craft of narration. Sponsored by HarperCollins and audiobook publishing partners.
9:00 PM EDT - The Future of Listening and the Enduring Role of CDs: A Conversation with Anne Fonteneau
Blackstone CSO Anne Fonteneau will discuss the continued growth of digital listening as well as the enduring role of CDs in libraries and communities.
Wednesday, June 17
5:00 PM EDT — From Screen to Sea
Kelsey Impicciche and Natalie Naudus discuss Voice of the Ocean, romantasy storytelling, online creator culture, and bringing fantasy worlds to life through audio. Sponsored by Blackstone Publishing.
7:00 PM EDT — Power, Youth, and Revolution: Soman Chainani on Young World
Bestselling author Soman Chainani joins producers from Penguin Random House Audio to discuss the immersive full-cast audiobook adaptation of Young World.
Libraries are one of the most important pathways to audiobook discovery and access in the United States. Audiobook Month 2026 celebrates not only the creators and performers behind these works but also the public, school, and academic libraries that ensure stories remain free, inclusive, and accessible to everyone.
Watch live on Facebook and YouTube or catch every session later on-demand. RSVP now to get a reminder sent each day and share the invite with your fellow readers and listeners. Follow along throughout the week on EveryLibrary Live! on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
When
Where
Audiobook Month 2026 is coming to EveryLibrary Live! with three nights of conversations celebrating storytelling, narration, performance, and the growing cultural impact of audiobooks.
From June 15–17, readers, listeners, librarians, and publishing professionals are invited to join live and on-demand sessions featuring bestselling authors, award-winning narrators, producers, and audiobook creators from across the industry.
This year’s event, "Stories You Hear Come to Life", highlights the artistry and accessibility of audiobooks while celebrating the libraries that help connect readers and listeners to these stories every day.
Featured guests include Ash Perez, John Kenney, Jane Hamilton, Helen Laser, Kelsey Impicciche, Natalie Naudus, and Soman Chainani, along with audiobook producers and special guests from leading publishing houses and audio studios, including Anne Fonteneau (Blackstone) and the Choose Your Own Adventure Audio team.
Audiobook Month 2026 is made possible through the support and participation of major publishing and audiobook partners, including Simon & Schuster, Zibby Media, HarperCollins, Blackstone Publishing, Penguin Random House, and the team behind the iconic Choose Your Own Adventure audiobooks.
Each evening will be guest-hosted by Gigi Howard from the hit podcast "Drinks in the Library" and Becky Spratford of RA for All and author of the recently released "Why I Love Horror". Together, they bring deep readers’ advisory expertise, energy, and a passion for connecting audiences with books, authors, and audio storytelling.
RSVP NOW to get a reminder and links each day to these exciting programs.
Event Schedule
Monday, June 15
5:00 PM EDT — Speak Now: Love, Loss, and Second Chances in Full Cast Audio
Featuring Ash Perez discussing the queer romance novel Speak Now and its immersive full-cast audiobook production featuring performers including Jena Malone and Bahni Turpin. Sponsored by Simon & Schuster.
7:00 PM EDT — Finding Your Way: Humor, Heart, and Reinvention, Read and Heard
A conversation with John Kenney and Jane Hamilton about storytelling, reinvention, and the audiobook experience. Sponsored by Zibby Media.
Tuesday, June 16
5:00 PM EDT — Choose Your Own Adventure Audio Experience
An interactive look at how the beloved Choose Your Own Adventure books became immersive audiobook adventures, preserving the spirit of reader choice in audio form.
7:00 PM EDT — Behind the Mic: The Art of Audiobook Narration with Helen Laser
Award-winning narrator Helen Laser shares insights into performance, character development, and the emotional craft of narration. Sponsored by HarperCollins and audiobook publishing partners.
9:00 PM EDT - The Future of Listening and the Enduring Role of CDs: A Conversation with Anne Fonteneau
Blackstone CSO Anne Fonteneau will discuss the continued growth of digital listening as well as the enduring role of CDs in libraries and communities.
Wednesday, June 17
5:00 PM EDT — From Screen to Sea
Kelsey Impicciche and Natalie Naudus discuss Voice of the Ocean, romantasy storytelling, online creator culture, and bringing fantasy worlds to life through audio. Sponsored by Blackstone Publishing.
7:00 PM EDT — Power, Youth, and Revolution: Soman Chainani on Young World
Bestselling author Soman Chainani joins producers from Penguin Random House Audio to discuss the immersive full-cast audiobook adaptation of Young World.
Libraries are one of the most important pathways to audiobook discovery and access in the United States. Audiobook Month 2026 celebrates not only the creators and performers behind these works but also the public, school, and academic libraries that ensure stories remain free, inclusive, and accessible to everyone.
Watch live on Facebook and YouTube or catch every session later on-demand. RSVP now to get a reminder sent each day and share the invite with your fellow readers and listeners. Follow along throughout the week on EveryLibrary Live! on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.