Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Yarros and Prince Harry Dominate Public Libraries’ Top Digital Book Titles of 2023

14 December 2023

The year’s most popular titles on the Libby reading app, including BookTok sensations, New York Times bestsellers and Libby’s fastest circulating book ever

This year’s list of the most popular books in public libraries was dominated by romance novels and memoirs from three bestselling authors that whisk readers away to other worlds. Based on circulation figures from millions of readers in 18,000 public libraries in North America on the award-winning Libby reading app, Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Yarros and Prince Harry led in multiple categories for the top books borrowed in 2023. Libby provides free access to public libraries’ collections of ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and graphic novels, and was created by OverDrive, the leading digital content platform for libraries and schools worldwide.

As digital book lending continues to flourish in public libraries, these community institutions remain an essential resource for free reading materials through the Libby app. Since 2021, North American public libraries have seen a 55 percent increase in ebook and audiobook checkouts to hundreds of millions in 2023. Audiobooks experienced a significant growth in circulation this year alone, increasing by more than 22 percent, continuing its meteoric rise in popularity over the past decade. Digital magazine checkouts also grew in 2023 by more than 65 percent, due in large part with the expanded selection as well as Libby’s recent one-tap magazine checkout feature.

Here are the 2023 Top Books Borrowed in North American Public Libraries on Libby, organized by genre and format:

Category	Ebooks	Audiobooks
Fiction	Verity by Colleen Hoover	Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Nonfiction	Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex	Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
Romance	Verity by Colleen Hoover	Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Mystery & Thriller	Verity by Colleen Hoover	The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
Science Fiction & Fantasy	Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros	Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Historical Fiction	Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr	The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Biography & Memoir	Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex	Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
YA Fiction Series	Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas	A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Juvenile Fiction Series	Big Nate by Lincoln Peirce	The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
“Notify Me” Pre-Release Titles	House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas	Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
“Notify Me” Already-Published Titles	Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros	Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Magazine	The New Yorker

Rebecca Yarros enjoyed a wildly successful year, releasing the first two books in the Empyrean series, Fourth Wing and Iron Flame. While Fourth Wing was the #1 book for the year in multiple categories, Iron Flame amassed the most checkouts in the first thirty days after release than any title in Libby history.

While the list above (see full list) represents actual loans of digital books, a new feature in Libby released in 2023 provides insight into readers’ pre-release demand. House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas, Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross, and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros led the list of titles that patrons tagged millions of times with the Notify Me feature in Libby. Using these smart tags alerts each reader’s library of their interest, and if the title is purchased, notifies the reader that the book is now part of the library’s digital collection.

The Libby reading app provides readers with access to their local library’s extensive digital collection, including popular ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, cookbooks and more. To get started with Libby, library patrons can download the Libby app and sign in with a valid library card or sign up for one in the app.

Thousands of public libraries across the world also offer Kanopy, leading streaming provider of award-winning film and television.

Readers can view the full list of Libby’s 2023 Top Books Borrowed from North American public libraries.

Upcoming Release: AMISH LOVE LETTERS: A Novella By Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, Rosalind Lauer

Jocie McKade

14 December 2023

AMISH LOVE LETTERS By Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, Rosalind Lauer

A heartfelt note, a loving message, a letter filled with secret hopes—this trio of sweet Amish romances celebrates how the right words can spark a lifetime of joy – especially on Valentine’s Day.

Fill your heart with the jubilant promise of Amish courtships begun through handwritten love letters in this heartwarming, faith-affirming collection headlined by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray.

Love Letter Courtship * Shelley Shepard Gray
After six months of courtship, Jennie Miller has refused Matthew Lapp’s proposal. Though he visits regularly, they never seem to talk deeply, and Jennie longs for real connection and romance. So she offers a solution. For one month, they’ll share letters filled with their hopes and dreams. Soon, Jennie is falling for Matt in earnest . . . but will he ever propose again?

S.W.A.K * Charlotte Hubbard
Quiet, gentle Fannie Kurtz knows that fun-loving Eddie Brubaker is the man she wants to marry someday. When he starts receiving letters in pink envelopes, she realizes she has some competition. Maybe it’s time she wrote a love note or two of her own? But a mix-up could jeopardize this romance before it starts, unless she keeps faith in God’s plan . . .

The Wrong Valentine * Rosalind Lauer
Young widow Martha Lambright is grateful to be working at her mother-in-law’s restaurant, even if seeing the kitchen gals giggle over valentine cards gives her a pang. But when Mose Troyer, the former bad boy who drives Martha to and from work each day, finds a valentine he mistakenly believes is for him, it begins a tender exchange that could lead to a wonderful future . . .

TEDDY VISITS THE VET The journey of Teddy, the Cat Without Ears Continues!!!

Jocie McKade

14 December 2023

TEDDY VISITS THE VET By Christine Milkovic Krauss

Teddy visits the vet is the fourth book in “The Adventures of Teddy” series. In Teddy Visits the Vet, children can relate their own feelings and emotions to health care processes and learn self-soothing techniques. Teddy learns to make choices and celebrates their feelings of self-empowerment.

“Adorable Teddy will gain your heart with his poignant tale of adventure and loss. Vivid illustrations bring this cute cat’s tale to life. Eleven stars out of ten for this story of acceptance, kindness, and resilience. Thanks, Teddy, for reminding us all we are “purr-fect”. Jenna Greene, Author of Reborn the 2018 Moonbeam Award Winner in the Gold Category

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a full-time essential services worker and mom of two primary school-aged children. My kids enjoy choosing books from the school library and I’m always genuinely impressed with the messages of acceptance and kindness in the stories they select for us to read together. During the pandemic, we had to get creative to keep our home an exciting and positive space that we all wanted to spend a lot of time at! Our entire family loves animals, so we decided to foster a litter of kittens over the Christmas Holidays. They brought so much joy into our lives, that we planned to continue to foster animals as much as possible! Then we saw Teddy. Teddy just belonged with our family and we knew it the moment we met him. Since that day, he has made our family feel complete. His uniqueness and character have inspired a series of stories that we hope to share with other avid child readers that love animals!

PODCAST::: Psychological Thrillers with NYT Bestseller Rebecca Hanover on Book Lights

Jocie McKade

13 December 2023

Psychological Thrillers with NYT Bestseller Rebecca Hanover on Book Lights

LISTEN HERE!

Rebecca Hanover is the New York Times bestselling author of THE SIMILARS duology. After graduating from Stanford University with a BA in English and drama, Rebecca joined the writing team of the CBS daytime drama GUIDING LIGHT, where she earned an Emmy Award. Still, she never lost her love of books—particularly YA. She now writes Young Adult as well as adult novels full-time from her home in San Francisco, where she enjoys matcha lattes and a complete lack of seasons. When she isn’t writing, she can be found in a yoga class or reading anything Dav Pilkey with her husband and three kiddos. You can learn more at her website: https://rebeccahanover.com/

And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com

Book Lights – shining a light on good books!

Here’s a look at Rebecca’s latest release THE LAST APPLICANT:

From award-winning author Rebecca Hanover comes an emotional thrill ride about two women whose lives take a dangerous turn in the high-stakes arena of private school admissions.

Audrey Singer revels in her position as the admissions director of an exclusive Manhattan private school. Parents cater to her whims and desires, desperate to give their children an edge. Audrey’s power is undeniable; privilege comes with the territory. Her perfect marriage completes the glossy picture of her life.

Until the arrival of the neurotic, vulnerable Sarah Price. Determined to get her son into the city’s most coveted kindergarten class, Sarah inserts herself into Audrey’s world, testing boundaries at every turn. For Sarah, everything Audrey has is a potential target: her job, her friends…even her marriage.

But what seems to be another ploy by an overachieving mother takes a dark and ominous turn. Sarah seems to be hiding secrets of her own. Are her designs on Audrey’s life purely about getting what she wants for her son?

Or is there something more sinister at play in this cutthroat game?

Sneak Peek: The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer

Jocie McKade

13 December 2023

The Lost Van Gogh by Jonathan Santlofer

From the bestselling author of The Last Mona Lisa: one lost painting, countless deadly secrets, and the man who finds himself at the heart of it all

For years, there have been whispers that, before his death, Van Gogh completed a final self-portrait. Curators and art historians have savored this rumor, hoping it could illuminate some of the troubled artist’s many secrets, but even they have to concede that the missing painting is likely a 1940s forgery by John Decker.

Luke Perrone, professor and grandson of a famous art thief, can’t resist such temptation. As he searches for the Lost Van Gogh, he’ll unearth several mysteries best left untouched—including the unsolved murder of Georgette Bauerdof. As Luke gets closer to the truth, he finds himself inadvertently caught at the center of a dangerous web of deceit.

Alternating between Luke Perrone’s perilous hunt for the painting, and the glamorous life John Decker remade for himself after a prison sentence for forgery, The Lost Van Gogh is an intricately layered historical thriller perfect for fans of The Last Mona Lisa and The Night Portrait.

Diverse Histories, Timeless Tales

Jocie McKade

13 December 2023

Travel through time and explore the rich tapestry of history! In this blog post, we celebrate the power of diverse historical fiction to transport readers to different times and places while honoring the diverse stories.

Take the Long Way Home by Rochelle Alers

Globetrot through time and across continents in this richly woven narrative spanning seven decades and following the remarkable life of Claudia Patterson. From a secluded Mississippi town in the 1950s where she grew up as a young black woman in the south to the glamorous cities of Paris and Rome in the 60s and 70s, Wall Street in the 1980s, and present-day New York. She lives many lives, from a freedom fighter and business maven to a devoted wife, mastering multiple languages, and ultimately becoming the savior of a European dynasty. Along the way, Claudia’s path is shaped by powerful loves and losses with four extraordinary men who all leave an indelible mark. But Claudia may leave the most indelible mark of all on readers who can’t get enough of this unforgettable, moving story.

After Francesco by Brian Malloy

This poignant novel is a powerful tribute to a generation profoundly affected by the AIDS crisis and takes readers on an emotional journey to the recent past in 1980s New York City and Minneapolis. It’s a universal tale of love, loss, and resilience, drawing from Malloy’s own experiences as a member of the AIDS generation. Kevin Doyle hits rock bottom while grappling with the relentless wave of funerals and the ghost of his late partner Francesco. Embarking on a healing process, he forges connections with member of a support group. But life throws him a curveball with an unthinkable family betrayal and a friend’s life-threatening situation in New York. In this authentic narrative, Malloy explores how love can transcend grief and the strength it takes to find hope in the darkest of times.

The Queen of the Valley by Lorena Hughes

In a captivating narrative unfolding between the tragedies of the 1925 Cali earthquake and an emerging cholera epidemic in the enchanting yet tumultuous backdrop of Colombia, three strangers find themselves on a perilous quest to find the owner of a coveted hacienda, Martin Sabater. As the hacienda transforms into a Catholic hospital, novice nun “Sor Puri” embarks on a mission to uncover the truth behind the disappearance, even as her own hidden identity threatens her search. Photographer Lucas Ferreira, Martin’s best friend, harbors secrets that hold the key to unraveling the mystery. Sor Camila, the head nurse, wrestles with the consequences of a life-altering mistake. As secrets emerge, memories resurface, and truths unfold, these characters must confront their pasts and reshape their destinies in this riveting and suspenseful saga.

Murder in Drury Lane by Vanessa Riley

Showcasing the true diversity of Regency-era England, this historical mystery follows the incomparable Lady Abigail Worthing, who has a passion for the abolitionist cause and a penchant for solving murders. Her refuge is the Drury Lane theater, but when a man is found dead backstage, Abigail, along with her neighbor Stapleton Henderson, embarks on a clandestine investigation. Their quest reveals a complex drama involving gambling debts, a captivating actress, and the theater’s future. Adding to the complexity, a key suspect is a leading advocate for the abolitionist cause. Abigail’s determination uncovers dark secrets, but can she stay ahead of those who would wish her harm?

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

Lovers of Alyssa Cole won’t want to miss her masterful historical tale that sets a high-stakes backdrop against genuine emotional tie when in the midst of the Civil War, a formidable pair of spies emerges. Elle Burns, a former slave with an unwavering commitment to justice and a photographic memory, risks everything by infiltrating the South’s entrenched slave system as a Union Army spy. Malcolm McCall, a seasoned detective for Pinkerton’s Secret Service, embarks on his most perilous mission yet: embedding himself within a Rebel Virginia enclave. Together, Elle and Malcolm uncover a plot that could reshape the course of the war. In a web of wartime intrigue, they must take their boldest steps to safeguard the Union, even if it means sacrificing their connection.

Reprinted with permission from Kensington Books.

CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS: A NOVEL OF THE COURT OF SHADOWS By Sebastien de Castell

Jocie McKade

12 December 2023

CRUCIBLE OF CHAOS By Sebastien de Castell

A mortally wounded magistrate faces his deadliest trial inside an ancient abbey where the monks are going mad and the gods themselves may be to blame!

Estevar Borros, one of the legendary sword-fighting magistrates know as the Greatcoats and the king’s personal investigator of the supernatural, is no stranger to tales of ghosts and demons. When the fractious monks of the abbey rumored to be the birthplace of the gods begin warring over claims of a new pantheon arising, the frantic abbot summons him to settle the dispute.

But Estevar has his own problems: a near-fatal sword wound from his last judicial duel, a sworn knight who claims he has proof the monks are consorting with demons, a diabolical inquisitor with no love for the Greatcoats, and a mysterious young woman claiming to be Estevar’s ally but who may well be his deadliest enemy.

Armed only with his famed investigative talents, his faltering skill with a blade and Imperious, his ornery mule, Estevar must root out the source of the madness lurking inside the once-sacred walls of Isola Sombra before its chaos spreads to the country he’s sworn to protect.

Investigate alongside Estevar and the most heroic mule ever to appear in print in this thrilling swashbuckling fantasy mystery by Sebastien De Castell, author of the internationally acclaimed Greatcoats and Spellslinger series!

Amazon.com: Crucible of Chaos: Court of Shadows, Book 0.5 (Audible Audio Edition): Sebastien de Castell, Joe Jameson, Jo Fletcher Books: Audible Books & Originals

Crucible of Chaos : de Castell, Sebastien: Amazon.ca: Books

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist.

His only defence against the charge of unbridled dilettantism is that he genuinely likes doing these things and that, in one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.

Sebastien’s acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.

Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com

Sneak Peek: Fearless by Diana Palmer

Jocie McKade

12 December 2023

Fearless by Diana Palmer

New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer’s emotional tale of determined DEA agent who finds love–and danger–while undercover to bring down a brutal crime syndicate in Jacobsville, Texas.

DEA agent Rodrigo Ramirez is sent undercover to the farm of Gloryanne Barnes’s stepbrother in Jacobsville, Texas, where he’s looking to bust a new and vicious drug cartel. Gloryanne is smart, savvy and fiercely independent, but her job has put her in danger from the same criminal Rodrigo is investigating. She’s drawn to the enigmatic new farmhand, Rodrigo, a man who is much more than he seems. Bitter about love and driven by his dangerous job, Rodrigo’s not sure if his reckless offer of marriage to the oh-so-tempting Gloryanne is just a means to completing his mission—or something more. But as Gloryanne’s miracle and Rodrigo’s double life collide, they must face the truth about each other and decide if there’s a chance for the future they both secretly desire.

Book Review: “Prodigal Son” by Gregg Hurwitz

Jocie McKade

12 December 2023

Book Review: “Prodigal Son” by Gregg Hurwitz

“Sixty-five motherfucking dollars.”

That is all that stood between Andrew Duran and his home, family, and a, hopefully, decent job.

Now he is stuck working the midnight shift in an impound lot in a crappy part of town. Barely making child support for his beloved daughter, Sofia, and his wife Brianna.

One night, two Marshalls, one male, one female, came into Andrew’s shack on the lot looking for a Jake Hargreave….the owner of one of the cars on the lot.

Offering a few bucks to Andrew….he promised to call them if Hargreave ever came in, which he did two weeks later.

Andrew called the Marshalls……

Meanwhile, Evan Smoak (aka Orphan X, aka The Nowhere Man) has retired. He is enjoying shacking up with random women and living a “normal” life of luxury.

His RoamZone (1-855-2-NOWHERE) is mostly quiet except for a caller from Argentina which he ignores….for now.

His thoughts drift to Mia and her young son, Peter. Those thoughts dare to be “normal”. A possible normal life with Mia…..

Then, he answers the RoamZone and…..on the other end, was his MOTHER?

All hell breaks loose as Evan and his sidekick and tech wizard, Joey, find themselves involved in murder, killer micro-drones, and a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of gov’t and military and threatens…..the world.

To see what happens, you can read the book. 🙂

“Prodigal Son” is the sixth book in the Orphan X series and, like the others, is a fantastic, fast, action-packed read that will keep you guessing until the very last word…..

….EXPLODED

Audible Theater Releases December Audio Slate, Including Five New Originals

Jocie McKade

11 December 2023

Audible released today a new slate of five Audible Theater titles. In addition to presenting thrilling live performances at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York, audio releases are a staple of Audible Theater’s programming, which continues to deliver the live performance experience to millions of listeners around the world. Now celebrating its fifth season, Audible Theater’s dynamic mix of live and audio theater productions have been praised as “an agent for change.” (Forbes)

Audible Theater’s December slate includes:

Center of the YOUniverse, created and performed by Emmy Award nominee Tituss Burgess and Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski, was recorded live during a three-night-only, sold-out run at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre in July. Tony Award winner Christopher Gatetelli directs this outrageously hilarious show where Tituss and Jane attempt the impossible: a double-booking. Through delightful performances of pop and theatrical songs, Burgess and Krakowski prove they’ll stop at nothing to upstage one another.
Summer, 1976 by David Auburn comes to audio following its acclaimed Broadway run. Starring four-time Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Laura Linney and Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht, this thoughtful play directed by Daniel Sullivan tells the story of two young mothers as they forge an unlikely bond and discover how friendships define and divide us.
Fat Ham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony Award-nominated play by James Ijames, comes to audio following its celebrated Broadway run. Original cast members including Tony nominee Nikki Crawford, Marcel Spears, and Adrianna Mitchell star in this “smart, fearless, and wildly entertaining” (Chicago Tribune) adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Directed by Tony nominee Saheem Ali, an uproarious family cookout emerges as an examination of love, pain, and joy.
Bob and Jean by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan stars Santino Fontana, Peter Friedman, and Betsy Wolfe. Through passionate, funny and sometimes desperate letters, this touching play introduces the remarkable courtship of Robert Schenkkan’s parents in 1941. Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis directs.
The Other Woman by Afsaneh Gray is a darkly suspenseful story about two women, a young Iranian immigrant and a British housewife, whose complicated entanglement leads to a shocking end in this erotic thriller. Elayce Ismail directs a full cast featuring Robyn Addison, Viss Elliot Safavi, Dana Haqjoo, John Sackville, Nicholas Boulton, and Saffron Coomber.

Kate Navin, Head of Creative Development at Audible, said: “I’m pleased that our final 2023 slate displays both the breadth and depth of Audible Theater’s work as we boldly expand the possibilities of theatrical storytelling. Direct from the Minetta, Center of the YOUniverse is a perfect example of how we bring the live theater experience to audio—with many laughs along the way. The celebrated Broadway runs of Fat Ham and Summer, 1976 are beautifully adapted for riveting audio. Finally, Bob and Jean and The Other Woman show how playwrights craft works expressly for the listening experience. These global releases highlight the incredible range of audio theater, and we can’t wait for listeners everywhere to hear them.”

To listen to these new titles, visit Audible.

MORE ABOUT THE NEW RELEASES

Center of the YOUniverse

Performed by Tituss Burgess and Jane Krakowski

Directed by Christopher Gattelli

Center of the YOUniverse is an out-of-this world spectacle starring six-time Emmy Award nominee Tituss Burgess and Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski. When they realize they’ve both been tapped to host the same charity fundraiser, Tituss and Jane attempt the impossible: a double booking. They’ll stop at nothing to upstage each other and steal the spotlight…until they realize the true purpose of being ridiculously attractive and having immeasurable talent: to unite and heal the world. It’s an outrageously fun and weird show full of pop and theatrical duets. A clash of divas and dueling vocals. It’s the show the world didn’t know it needed until reading this blurb. Recorded live in New York at the Minetta Lane Theatre and directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli.

Summer, 1976 by David Auburn

Performed by Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht

Directed by Daniel Sullivan

Starring four-time Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Laura Linney and Tony Award nominee Jessica Hecht, Summer, 1976 is an intimate and insightful exploration of friendship, ambition, and the struggle for independence. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Auburn, this critically acclaimed Broadway hit chronicles the lives of two young mothers as they forge an unlikely bond during the summer of America’s Bicentennial. As the days heat up, they navigate a tumultuous relationship, and discover how friendships define us, divide us, and permanently alter our sense of ourselves. A fully immersive listening experience and a must-hear for theater enthusiasts everywhere, Summer, 1976 is a deeply moving portrayal of the small moments that can change the course of our lives.

Fat Ham by James Ijames

Performed by Marcel Spears, Nikki Crawford, Billy Eugene Jones, Adrianna Mitchell, Calvin Leon Smith, Benja Kay Thomas, Chris Herbie Holland

Directed by Saheem Ali

The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times Critic’s Pick that served Broadway “raucous comedy and nonstop pleasure” has made its way home to Audible. Juicy is a queer, Southern college kid already grappling with some serious questions of identity when the ghost of his father shows up in their backyard, demanding that Juicy avenge his murder. But here’s the rub! Revenge doesn’t come easy to Juicy, a sensitive and self-aware young Black man in search of his own happiness and liberation. From an uproarious family cookout emerges a “smart, fearless, and wildly entertaining” (Chicago Tribune) examination of love, pain, and joy from writer James Ijames and director Saheem Ali.

Bob and Jean by Robert Schenkkan

Performed by Santino Fontana, Peter Friedman, and Betsy Wolfe

Directed by Scott Ellis

For two people not looking for love, it found them at the worst possible time. When college friends Bob Schenkkan (Santino Fontana) and Jean McKenzie (Betsy Wolfe) reunited in New York City in 1941, lightning struck. However, with Bob shipping off to the Pacific War as a Bomb Disposal Officer and Jean touring the nation as a USO actor, keeping this new flame alive while thousands of miles apart was a challenge. Written by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan (All The Way, The Kentucky Cycle), Bob And Jean is a stirring and romantic new play that tells the remarkable story of his parent’s tumultuous courtship with direction from Tony nominee Scott Ellis. Travel through their passionate, funny, sometimes desperate letters as they navigate bombs, wrecked trains, miscues, and the complexities of the human heart.

The Other Woman by Afsaneh Gray

Performed by Robyn Addison, Viss Elliot Safavi, Dana Haqjoo, John Sackville, Nicholas Boulton, and Saffron Coomber

Directed by Elayce Ismail

“What does she want from me?” A young Iranian immigrant panics as she’s being chased through the streets by an unknown blonde woman. When their two worlds collide, the answer to that question becomes increasingly unsettling in Afsaneh Gray’s The Other Woman, a bracingly unpredictable audio experience. The two women find they share similar struggles in a society that doesn’t see them…but as their relationship develops, what feels like liberation begins to shift into an all-too-familiar dynamic. The Other Woman is an enthralling erotic thriller that explores cycles of power and exploitation all the way to its unsettling conclusion.

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