Staff Picks 2021
Introduction
The audiobooks which feature as Staff Picks in 2021 will be added here. A short summary of these selections may be found on the linked blog posts. For more information and a list of Staff Picks in previous years, have a look at the main Staff Picks page.
If you prefer to download m4b files, all our staff picks have been converted to this format, which can be downloaded from the respective catalog pages.
Suggestions for future Staff Picks on the LibriVox home page are always welcome. Please post your suggestions in this thread. Bonus points if they fit the current monthly theme.
LibriVox Staff Picks 2020
We're still in the throes of COVID-19, but hopefully, this year's picks will take you out of the house a bit and bring some relief for your stressed mind.
January 2021: Silver Linings
Happy New Year 2021! With 2020 finally over, we can start to make new plans for the coming year, which will hopefully be much better… Let’s look into a brighter tomorrow with 10 gems from our catalog.
Fiction
The Peril Finders by George Manville Fenn, read by a group of LibriVoxers
The Charwoman's Daughter by James Stephens, read by Michele Fry
The Great Impersonation by E. Phillips Oppenheim, read by Tom Weiss
Preferred Risk by Frederik Pohl, read by Nick Bulka
Marthas Kinder by Bertha von Suttner, read in German by Eva
Non-Fiction
All Things Are Possible by Lev Shestov, read by Expatriate
The Hope of the Gospel by George MacDonald, read by Jordan
In the Fourth Year by H. G. Wells, read by John Schuurman
Drama
The Enterprise of the Mayflower, by Amice MacDonell, play
Poetry
All That Matters by Edgar A. Guest, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Note: The books from this selection were downloaded 19693 times in January 2021.
February 2021: History in Black and White
February marks Black History Month in the US, and together with the Black Lives Matter movement, LibriVox has risen to put out more books by African Americans. Delve into a truly black part of world history with 10 gems from our catalog.
Fiction
The Strength of Gideon and Other Stories by Paul Laurence Dunbar, read by Kirks Voice
The Homesteader by Oscar Micheaux, read by a group of LibriVoxers
The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man by James Weldon Johnson, read by James K. White
Violets and Other Tales by Allice Dunbar Nelson, read by James K. White
Hagar's Daughter by Pauline Elizabeth Hopkins,read by a group of LibriVoxers
Non-Fiction
On Being Nebro in America by J. Saunders Redding, read by Kevin S.
Report on Civil Disorders by the Kerner Commission, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Journal of a Residence on a Georgian Plantation 1838 - 1839 by Fanny Kemble, read by James K. White
Drama
Eunuchus - The Eunuch, by Terence, play
Poetry
Os Escravos by Antonio Frederico de Castro Alves, read in Portuguese by Leni
Note: The books from this selection were downloaded 2813 times in February 2021.
March 2021: Into the Future
With the vaccinations for COVID-19 starting up all over the world, we may look into the future a bit more optimistically! Let’s take a glimpse into what may lie ahead of mankind with 10 gems from our catalog.
Fiction
The Coming Race by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, read by Maire Rhode
L'Eve Future by Auguste Villiers de l'Isle-Adam, read in French by Isad
El Anacronopete by Enrique Gaspar y Rimbau, read in Spanish by Epachuko
Star Ship by Poul William Anderson, read by Paul Harvey
Arqtiq, a Study of the Marvels at the North Pole by Anna Adolph,read by Chuck W.
Non-Fiction
The Fourth Dimension by Charles H. Hinto, read by Peter Yearsley
Mars and its Canals by Percival Lowell, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation read by a group of LibriVoxers
Drama
La Vida es Sueno, by Calderon de la Barca, play; read by Kendal Rigans
Poetry
In the Net of the Stars by F.S. Flint, read by Nemo
Note: The books from this selection were downloaded 20934 times in March 2021.
April 2021: In Short
Life seems to pick up speed again, leaving less time to read. Short Works to the rescue! Take a time-out – a brief one – with 10 gems from our catalog.
Fiction
Contes de la Becasse by Guy de Maupassant, read in French by a group of LibriVoxers
Trolley Folly by Henry W. Phillips, read by Tom Penn
Call to Arms by Xun Lu, read in Chinese by Jing Li
Sasha by Eleksandr Kuprin, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Tradiciones Peruanas by Ricardo Palma, read in Spanish by a group of LibriVoxers
Non-Fiction
Flowers of Freethought by George W. Foote, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Women, Children, Love and Marriage by Catherine G. Hartley, read by a group of LibriVoxers
On Nothing and Kindred Subjects by Hilaire Belloc, read by Ray Clare
Drama
Stille Existenzen, by Jeanne Marni, one-act plays, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Poetry
A Father of Women and Other Poems by Alice Meynell, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Note: The books from this selection were downloaded 16216 times in April 2021.
May 2021: Celebrating: Moms
In May, many countries celebrate Mother’s Day, and after the last 12+ months, an extra big “Thank you mom!” is in order. Let’s have a look at what the world owes to moms – and mother figures – with 10 gems from our catalogue.
Fiction
Mother by Kathleen Norris, read by Megan Kunkel
Regiment of Women by Clemence Dane, read by a group of LibriVoxers
Memorias de Martha by Julia Lopes de Almeida, read in Portuguese by Rachel Moraes
The Mother's Recompense by Edith Wharton, read by annie70
My Lady of the Chinese Courtyard by Elizabeth Cooper, read by MaryAnn Spiegel
Non-Fiction
Proeve over de opvoeding by Betje Wolff, read in Dutch by Edith van der Have-Raats
My Mother and I by Elizabeth Stern, read by a Sue Anderson
The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux, read by Ann Boulais
Drama
Sweet Lavender, by Arthur Wing Pinero, play
Poetry
Mother and Daughter by Agusta Webster, read by Newgatenovelist
Note: The books from this selection were downloaded 3477 times in May 2021.
June 2021: Celebrating: Dads
In June, many countries celebrate Father’s Day and they indeed deserve a big “Thank you!” Let’s have a look at what the world owes to dads – and other father figures – with 10 gems from our catalogue.
Fiction
The Wooden Horse by Hugh Walpole, read by David Wales
The Abysmal Brute by Jack London, read by Warren Kati
His Family by Ernest Poole, read by James E. Carson
Nell and Her Grandfather by anonymous, read by a group of LibriVox volunteers
Heidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre by Johanna Spyri, read in German by a group of LibriVox volunteers
Non-Fiction
Voltaire and the French Enlightenment by Will Durant, read by Pam Nagami
Relativity: The Special and General Theroy by Albert Einstein, read by a group of LibriVox volunteers
The Boy's Book of Famous Soldiers by J. Walker McSpadden, read by a group of LibriVox volunteers
Drama
If I had a Father, by George MacDonald, play
Poetry
Flowers from the Garden of St. Francis by St. Francis of Assisi, read by Dave7
Note: The books from this selection were downloaded 15523 times in June 2021.
July 2021: The World's Favourites
There are stories that have been told and retold so often, they have become universal and known throughout the world. Let’s delve into the world’s collective memory with 10 gems from our catalogue.
Fiction
The Wooden Horse by Hugh Walpole, read by David Wales
The Abysmal Brute by Jack London, read by Warren Kati
His Family by Ernest Poole, read by James E. Carson
Nell and Her Grandfather by anonymous, read by a group of LibriVox volunteers
Heidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre by Johanna Spyri, read in German by a group of LibriVox volunteers
Non-Fiction
Voltaire and the French Enlightenment by Will Durant, read by Pam Nagami
Relativity: The Special and General Theroy by Albert Einstein, read by a group of LibriVox volunteers
The Boy's Book of Famous Soldiers by J. Walker McSpadden, read by a group of LibriVox volunteers
Drama
If I had a Father, by George MacDonald, play
Poetry
Flowers from the Garden of St. Francis by St. Francis of Assisi, read by Dave7
Note: The books from this selection were downloaded times in July 2021.
