Tag: summer listening

7 Can’t-Miss Audiobooks Available in Spotify Premium

July 28, 2025

Summer is the perfect time to dive into a new story, whether you’re on the move or just looking for an escape. With Spotify Premium, eligible listeners in select markets can enjoy hours of audiobook listening time each month included with their plan. Our audiobook offerings continue to grow, and with hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, there’s never been a better moment to discover your next great listen.

Not sure where to start? Our editorial team has handpicked a collection of standout audiobooks that span genres, continents, and cultures.

“When we curate titles for a campaign like this, we take it seriously—but we also have a lot of fun doing it,” said Suzanne Galvez, Director of Editorial and Spotify Publishing. “There’s real responsibility in choosing stories that speak to the moods and moments that matter to our listeners, many of whom aren’t traditional readers. So getting it right? That’s the goal.”

“Music memoirs always strike a chord—Tina Knowles’s Matriarch and Mark Hoppus’s Fahrenheit-182 have been big wins,” she continued. “And when a household name like Stephen King is having a pop culture moment? Even better. His latest Holly Gibney installment, Never Flinch, is a standout. Romantasy continues to be a powerhouse with our listeners, and we had a blast weaving in some buzzy new releases to keep things fresh. We’re excited about this lineup and hope our listeners fall in love with these titles just like we did.”

From romantasy sensations to international bestsellers, here are seven titles Suzanne and her fellow editors are loving:

A Court of Thorns and Roses

By Sarah J. Maas
Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda

After killing a wolf in the woods, young huntress Feyre is dragged to a treacherous magical land as punishment. What begins as captivity soon transforms into something deeper, darker, and more seductive. The first in Sarah J. Maas’s wildly popular series, A Court of Thorns and Roses topped Spotify’s Global Audiobooks of the Year list in 2024.

Why our editors love it: It’s a TikTok sensation for a reason—Sarah J. Maas’s immersive worldbuilding, action-packed scenes, flirtatious banter, and satisfying slow-burn romance easily drew in both the traditional fantasy readers and romance lovers on our team.

Atmosphere: A Love Story

By Taylor Jenkins Reid
Narrated by Kristen DiMercurio, Julia Whelan, and Taylor Jenkins Reid

Set during the 1980s space shuttle era, Atmosphere follows Joan Goodwin, a quiet physics professor who dreams of the stars. When she’s selected to join a newly recruited group of women scientists training for spaceflight, she finds friendship, passion, and love—but everything changes when a mission takes a devastating turn.

Why our editors love it: Our team has long been fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, and her newest did not disappoint. We loved exploring a tender, emotional, and forbidden love story during such a pivotal moment in history. Plus, we’re absolute suckers for a great story about found family.

Never Flinch: A Novel

By Stephen King
Narrated by Jessie Mueller and Stephen King

Stephen King’s latest thriller follows two converging threats: a revenge-obsessed killer threatening mass murder, and a stalker targeting a feminist speaker on tour. With Holly Gibney on the case, the clock is ticking. Twisting and relentless, Never Flinch introduces an exciting new cast of characters and builds to a chilling conclusion.

Why our editors love it: We fell for the character of Holly Gibney back when reading Mr. Mercedes and have eagerly awaited each new installment of her story. And typical of King, this one doesn’t shy away from moral extremes, highly twisted motives, and the profound effects of trauma.

Matriarch: A Memoir

By Tina Knowles
Narrated by Tina Knowles, Beyoncé, Solange, Kelly Rowland, and Angie Beyincé

Tina Knowles traces her journey from a spirited girl in 1950s Galveston, Texas, to the matriarch of a family whose influence spans music, style, and culture. Told in her voice and those of her daughters, Matriarch celebrates love, resilience, and motherhood.

Why our editors love it: Matriarch is a beautifully honest portrayal of Black motherhood in America. We loved this listen for its candor, emotional depth, and for Tina’s ability to transcend the role of mother to a celebrity and create a highly relatable story about motherhood that spans generations.

Fahrenheit-182: A Memoir

By Mark Hoppus and Dan Ozzi
Narrated by Mark Hoppus

In this sharp, funny, and heartfelt memoir, blink-182’s Mark Hoppus traces his path from angst-ridden kid to pop-punk icon. Along the way, he opens up about identity, anxiety, fame, and his fight with cancer—all in his own unmistakable voice.

Why our editors love it: We adored Mark Hoppus’s candid and honest memoir. From his relatable struggles with chronic anxiety and depression to behind-the scenes blink-182 band lore, there was something for everyone. And Mark’s narration was the icing on the cake.

The Last Wish: Introducing the Witcher

By Andrzej Sapkowski
Narrated by Peter Kenny

Trained, mutated, and armed with magic, Geralt the Witcher is no ordinary killer. But in a world where the fair can be foul and the monstrous may yet be good, each hunt carries unexpected truths. The Last Wish begins the epic fantasy saga that inspired a hit TV series and popular video game franchise.

Why our editors love it: There’s little our team loves more than a morally gray hero, so the Witcher series is right up our alley. This book is clever and gritty, and it introduces an amazingly immersive world that’s enjoyable by both fans of the television series as well as people who just love great fantasy.

The Three-Body Problem 

By Cixin Liu
Narrated by Luke Daniels

The first novel in Cixin Liu’s visionary sci-fi epic is set against the backdrop of China’s cultural revolution. When a secret military signal reaches an alien world on the brink of collapse, Earth becomes the target of invasion. As the threat grows, factions begin to choose sides: resistance or surrender.

Why our editors love it: It’s a thought-provoking exploration of astrophysics and theoretical physics told through a fresh non-Western lens with highly complex, relatable characters in high-stakes situations. This series will challenge your worldview in the best possible way.

Ready to find your next great listen? Explore more titles in the Audiobooks hub on Spotify. To learn more about our audiobook offerings, visit Spotify.com/audiobooks.

4 Spotify Tips to Create the Perfect Summer Soundtrack

July 28, 2025

Summer is here, and whether you’re road-tripping, relaxing poolside, or hosting friends for a backyard barbecue, the right soundtrack can make every moment unforgettable. And with Spotify Premium, it’s easy to put together a personalized summer listening experience.

Curate your ideal vibe

This year, your summer soundtrack is more personalized than ever thanks to recent product updates designed to bring you even closer to the music you love. With our latest enhancement to DJ, you can use your voice to request music and guide the vibe of your listening session in real time. Meanwhile, AI Playlist—now in beta in more than 50 markets—lets you generate custom playlists by entering a unique prompt into the chat.

For example, you might prompt AI Playlist to “create a reggaeton playlist for chillin’ by the pool,” or ask DJ to “play hot new releases for a day at the beach.” Whatever your mood, your ideal summer soundtrack is just a request away.

Discover live music near you

Nothing beats the energy of a live show. With Concerts Near You, a new personalized playlist that updates every Wednesday, you’ll get 30 songs from artists performing nearby, plus event details and ticket links right in the app. (This feature is also available to our Free users.) Just make sure your location is up-to-date in the “Live Events” section, and you’ll never miss a chance to turn a summer night into a memory.

Take your music anywhere

Headed off the grid? With Offline Backup, take your summer anthems wherever you go—no downloads or Wi-Fi required. This feature creates a unique playlist from your queued and recently streamed tracks so you can keep the music going whether you’re flying, hiking, or relaxing on a remote beach.

Fine-tune your listening

With our new user controls, it’s easier to make every playlist and listening session feel just right. Adjust your track list preferences with Add, Sort, and Edit; guide your session with a refreshed Queue; and use the Hide button to temporarily remove tracks from your recommendations so your music always fits the moment, all summer long.

If you love diving deep into your saved music, curation is now even more intuitive. In the U.K., U.S., Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa, you can filter your Liked Songs by genre and tap “Make this a playlist” to instantly create custom mixes from your favorites. 

Stay tuned for more tips to personalize your listening and get the most out of your Spotify Premium experience, with new features and enhancements always on the horizon.

Beat the Heat With These Bingeworthy Beach Reads (and Pool Podcasts!)

July 18, 2024

Summer is officially in full swing, and that means it’s time to chill out. Whether you’re heading out on vacation or hoping to make the most of Summer Fridays, a good audiobook or podcast is the perfect companion. If you’re craving an offbeat rom-com, murder mystery, or intimate conversation with a Hollywood legend, Spotify’s editors are here to help you find your next summer beach read (or lakeside listen).

Audiobooks

Going Bicoastal 

Written by Dahlia Adler
Narrated by Mara Wilson

In this queer YA rom-com, main character Natalya must choose between spending the summer in NYC with her dad (and the girl she’s always had a crush on) or in LA with her estranged mom (and, it turns out, a guy she never saw coming). How’s a girl supposed to choose? Thankfully she doesn’t have to, because in Going Bicoastal, both summers play out in alternating timelines.

Just for the Summer 

Written by Abby Jimenez
Narrated by Christine Lakin, Zachary Webber, Abby Jimenez

Just for the Summer introduces readers to Justin and Emma, who share a common curse: Every person they each date goes on to find their soulmate the second they break up. So, the pair comes up with a plan: They’ll fake-date each other and then break up. Their curses will cancel out, and they’ll both go on to find “the one.” What could go wrong? 

In Just for the Summer, set in a cottage on a private island on Lake Minnetonka, discover what happens when a relationship that was supposed to be temporary turns out to be more.

Beach Read 

Written by Emily Henry
Narrated by Julia Whelan

In Emily Henry’s bestseller Beach Read, Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction, and January Andrews writes romance. The only thing they have in common is that for three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block. The two struggling authors decide to strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.

 The Midnight Feast 

Written by Lucy Foley
Narrated by Joe Eyre, Sarah Slimani, Roly Botha, Laurence Dobiesz, Tuppence Middleton

The Midnight Feast takes listeners into a world where darkness stirs under the burning midsummer sun. It’s opening night at the Manor, the newest and hottest luxury resort, and no expense small or large has been spared. The infinity pool sparkles, cocktails are being poured with a heavy hand, and everyone is wearing linen. But old friends and enemies circulate among the guests. Just outside the Manor’s immaculately kept grounds, an ancient forest bristles with secrets. And it’s not too long before the local police are called. Turns out the past has crashed the party, with deadly results.

Swan Song 

Written by Elin Hilderbrand
Narrated by Erin Bennett

In Swan Song, a $22 million mansion is snapped up by the mysterious Richardson family and everyone in the community is swept into the ensuing high drama. The Richardsons throw lavish parties, flirt with multiple locals, and flaunt their wealth with not one but two yachts. And when their house goes up in flames and their most essential employee goes missing, the entire island is up in arms.

Elin Hilderbrand is the queen of beach reads, and this last book in the Nantucket novels series—with its glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, and cast of beloved characters that includes the island itself—shows why.

For more summer reading inspo, head to our Beach Reads hub.

 Podcasts

 CounterClock 

In order to tell the story of a crime, sometimes you have to turn back time. On her podcast CounterClock, investigative journalist Delia D’Ambra digs deep into a mind-bending mystery with the hopes of reigniting interest in a decades-old homicide case.

The Big Picture

Whether you’re looking for must-see movie reviews, Top 5 rankings, Oscars analysis, or anything else under the Hollywood sun, The Big Picture has you covered. In each episode, hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins are joined by a rotating cast of Ringer colleagues including Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons.

Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Each week on Wiser Than Me, Julia Louis-Dreyfus engages in a funny, touching, personal conversation with an iconic “older woman” brimming with the kind of unapologetic attitude and wisdom that only come with age. Julia and her 90-year-old mom, Judy, sit at the feet of some extraordinary teachers, including Patti Smith, Carol Burnett, and Gloria Steinem. Tune in to laugh, cry, and get wise. 

Couples Therapy

On Couples Therapy, comedians and real-life couple Naomi Ekperigin and Andy Beckerman gab with their favorite actors and comics about their romantic lives and answer your burning relationship questions with all the wisdom two unlicensed entertainers can possibly muster.

 Murder in the Hollywood Hills

Kristi Johnson was shopping at a mall in Los Angeles when a man invited her to a photo shoot for the next Bond film. That afternoon, the 21-year-old got into her white sports car and drove to meet him in the Hollywood Hills. She was never seen alive again. In Dateline’s latest podcast, Murder in the Hollywood Hills, Keith Morrison takes listeners to the city of dreams for the story of a smooth-talking predator who lured young women into a nightmare with promises of fame and fortune. It’s the story of how he evaded justice for years. But most of all, it’s the story of a group of women who banded together to lock him up for good.

For more podcast inspo, head to our Essential Travel Listening hub.