Audiobooks narrated by Benjamin Charles

The Black Yearbook [Portraits and Stories]

A gripping exploration of the joys, hardships, and truths of Black students through intimate, honest dialogues and stunning photography, author of Heavy "A radical, reverential, and restorative document of community."-Rebecca Bengal, author of Strange Hours: Photography, Memory, and the Lives of Artists When photographer Adraint Bereal graduated from the University of Texas, he self-published an impressive volume of portraits, personal statements, and interviews that explored UT's campus culture and offered an intimate look at the lives of Black students matriculating within a majority white space. Bereal's work was inspired by his first photo exhibition at the George Washington Carver Museum in Austin, entitled 1.7, that unearthed the experiences of the 925 Black men that made up just 1.7% of UT's total 52,000 student body. Now Bereal expands the scope of his original project and visits colleges nationwide, from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to predominantly white institutions to trade schools and more. Rather than dwelling on the monolith of trauma often associated with Black narratives, Bereal is dedicated to using honest dialogue to share stories of true joy and triumph amidst the hardships, prejudices, and internal struggles. Using an exciting and eclectic design approach to accompany the portraits and stories, each individual profile effectively conveys the interviewee's unique voice, tone, and background. The Black Yearbook reframes society's stereotypical perception of higher education by representing and celebrating the wide range of Black experiences on campuses.

Adraint Khadafhi Bereal (Author), Adraint Khadafhi Bereal, André Santana, Angel Pean, Benjamin Charles, Henriette Zoutomou, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Keylor Leigh, Kiese Laymon, Malik Rashad, Marcella Cox, Reynaldo Piniella, Ron Butler, TBD, Torian Brackett, Zoleka Vundla (Narrator)

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Beasts of War

In this epic conclusion to her New York Times bestselling series, Ayana Gray delivers a heart-pounding fantasy adventure filled with mythos, monsters, and mortal heroes who are astoundingly human. Once a prisoner to Fedu, the vengeful god of death, Koffi has regained her freedom, but she is far from safe. Fedu will stop at nothing to hunt her down and use her power to decimate the mortal world. Koffi knows when Fedu will strike: during the next Bonding, a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event. To survive, Koffi will have to find powerful new allies quickly, and convince them to help her in the terrible battle to come. Once a warrior-turned-runaway, Ekon has carved out a new life for himself outside Lkossa, but the shadows of his past still haunt him. Now, alongside unexpected friends, Ekon tries to focus on getting Koffi to the Kusonga Plains before the next Bonding. If he fails, Koffi will be consumed, either by her own dangerous power, or the terrible fate Ekon is doing everything he can to prevent. Ekon devotes himself to protecting Koffi, but the lingering threats from his own past are more urgent than he knows. As Koffi and Ekon race to the Kusonga Plains-and try to garner the help of Eshōza's ancient gods along the way-they must face a slew of dangerous beasts old and new. In the end, destiny may unite Koffi and Ekon for the last time-or tear them apart for good.

Ayana Gray (Author), Alexander Cantrell, Benjamin Charles, Keylor Leigh (Narrator)

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Beasts of Ruin

Brought to you by Penguin. The powerful and magical sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller BEASTS OF PREY, perfect for fans of AN EMBER IN THE ASHES, SHADOW AND BONE and THE GILDED ONES. Koffi, gifted with powerful magic, has saved the boy she loves - at a terrible price. Now Koffi is a servant to the god of death, and must choose between the life she once had, or the life she could have if she truly embraced her power. Ekon is on the run from the ancient brotherhood he betrayed, and desperate to find Koffi: the girl who saved his life. But as he treks into the greater wilds of Eshoza in search of her, he must also contend with secrets his ancestors never wanted him to know. Separated by land, sea, and gods, Koffi and Ekon will have to risk everything. But the longer they're kept apart, the harder their loyalties are tested. An extraordinary adventure inspired by Pan-African mythology, from New York Times bestselling author Ayana Gray. 'A fast-paced, rip-roaring ride that grabs you by the throat and never lets you go. A masterpiece of magic' - Namina Forna, New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones on Beasts of Prey © Ayana Gray 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Ayana Gray (Author), Benjamin Charles, Keylor Leigh, Yinka Ladeinde (Narrator)

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The Lonely Letters

In The Lonely Letters, A tells Moth: 'Writing about and thinking with joy is what sustains me, daily. It nourishes me. I do not write about joy primarily because I always have it. I write about joy, Black joy, because I want to generate it, I want it to emerge, I want to participate in its constant unfolding.' But alongside joy, A admits to Moth, come loneliness, exclusion, and unfulfilled desire. The Lonely Letters is an epistolary blackqueer critique of the normative world in which Ashon T. Crawley-writing as A-meditates on the interrelation of blackqueer life, sounds of the Black church, theology, mysticism, and love. Throughout his letters, A explores blackness and queerness in the musical and embodied experience of Blackpentecostal spaces and the potential for platonic and erotic connection in a world that conspires against blackqueer life. Both a rigorous study and a performance, The Lonely Letters gestures toward understanding the capacity for what we study to work on us, to transform us, and to change how we inhabit the world.

Ashon T. Crawley (Author), Benjamin Charles (Narrator)

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STIRP

Three friends experiencing life’s uncertain changes decide they need relaxation beyond the usual girls’ night out. A friend tells them about, The Den, an upscale male strip club. They find out the club is a shell of what really lies beneath—and soon, the ladies are venturing into their mind and body’s wildest desires. This is Patience Addison's story.

Stephanie Nicole Norris (Author), Benjamin Charles, Wesleigh Siobhan (Narrator)

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Love & Law

Love and Law follows the lives of Jameson, Jaslyn, Jordan, and Josephina Edwards. Known as the first black family in law enforcement, the Edwards stand firm on their beliefs . . . or so they thought. What happens when love comes into play and it has these four siblings struggling with what's right and wrong? There's a fine line between upholding law and breaking it. Which side will they end up on? Contains mature themes.

Asia Monique (Author), Benjamin Charles (Narrator)

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STIFF

Stephanie Nicole Norris (Author), Benjamin Charles, Wesleigh Siobhan (Narrator)

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Show Down

They called me America’s smartest entrepreneur. So how was I dumb enough to let my dream girl get away? Blame ego, blame my need to prove I could build a business all on my own. Hell, blame my parents—God love ‘em—for thinking I’d have problems prospering with a hammer instead of a law degree. Turns out I’m doing just fine with a chain of luxury resorts bearing my name, but it’s a cold comfort when the woman I love hates my guts. Can’t say she’s wrong, considering how things ended. I set out to win Lauren back, scoring a spot on her family’s reality show social experiment, or whatever it’s called when someone buys an old cult compound to build a tiny town. Works for me, since I’m a builder who loves a challenge. But getting Lauren to forgive me proves way more than challenging. Between a botched baking class, sexy bumper car battles, and a bizarrely hostile fish, it’s clear Lo’s in no hurry to pick up where we left off. Good thing I’m no quitter, especially when it comes to her.

Tawna Fenske (Author), Benjamin Charles, Stella Hunter (Narrator)

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Falling At First Sight

From Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, Willow Winters comes a steamy, small-town romance. His smile is what got me. It was charming but held a hint of the sexy thoughts I was hoping he had in his head like I did with only our first glance. He may be tall, dark and handsome but I’m telling you, it was his smile that got me. I’m sure of that detail. Too bad all I did was avert my gaze and let a blush rise up to my cheeks, outing me for having sordid thoughts about my son’s preschool teacher. Trent Morgan was everything I ever wanted, but there was no way I was ever going there. Even if I had fallen at first sight … Falling at First Sight is a contemporary romance short story - sweet and sexy - with a happily ever after.

Willow Winters (Author), Ava Erickson, Benjamin Charles (Narrator)

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Audiobooks Narrated by Benjamin Charles