Audiobooks
We are excited to share a special collection of audiobooks in partnership with Bolinda BorrowBox.
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Our audiobook collection offers an enticing invitation to enter different worlds, cultures and experiences. So plug in to your phone, laptop, ipad or desktop and enjoy this amazing collection.
The Worry Monsters
Written by: Sally Rippin
Narrated by: Gareth Prosser
Recommended for 7+
In The Worry Monsters, Jack hates spelling. He has a test coming up, but he doesn’t want to practise for it. What will happen if he leaves it too late?
Listen Here
You can listen to the full audiobook via the BorrowBox app or website. All you need to do is:
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Join your local library. It’s free.
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Download the BorrowBox app. Select your library and activate your account.
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Search for this month’s feature title under audiobooks. Enjoy!
Sally's Spotlight
Hamlet: A Novel
Written by: John Marsden
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
Recommended for 13+
Listen Here
Hamlet's father has just died. By the time they've filled in the grave his mother has remarried. Hamlet suspects foul play, and it's troubling his spirit. Or maybe he was always troubled. Ophelia is in love with him. His best friend Horatio can't work him out. Then, on a cold, still night, Hamlet meets the ghost of his father...
John Marsden, one of Australia's most-loved writers, takes Shakespeare's famous play and turns it into a moving and full-blooded novel. Marsden's version of Hamlet will be adored by readers young and old.
About the Author
John Marsden’s books have sold more than four million copies around the world. He was the author of thirty novels including the highly acclaimed Tomorrow series and the Ellie Chronicles. Marsden was a teacher for many years before becoming a full-time writer, and his interest in education never waned. In 1998 he bought the Tye Estate, 850 acres of natural bush on the northern edge of Melbourne, and in 2006 started his own school there, Candlebark. Remarkably, Marsden taught Shakespeare’s Hamlet to his Year 7 students – it’s usually set for Year 9 or 10 – and his nuanced novel reflects that deep understanding and passion for the drama. He died in 2024.
Why Sally chose this book
I wanted to start the year by honouring the late, great John Marsden. As well as being one of Australia’s best writers for children and young adults, he also founded two schools in Victoria created with the intention of honouring a wholistic childhood. His whole life was dedicated to understanding and connecting with young people, and it was a great loss for so many when he died at the end of last year.
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Marsden wrote many books, but his re-imagining of Hamlet, I believe is one of his best works. The language is poetic and evocative and the story as compelling as the original, read beautifully by Humphrey Bower. I have often thought the themes of Shakespeare’s stories would be as dramatic and relevant for teenagers as any well-written YA novel today, if only they could find a way to overcome the hurdle of the Elizabethan language. Marsden’s re-telling of this famous play is an excellent and accessible way to introduce any reader to the original master storyteller.
Bolinda is a world-leading audiobook and technology company. Entrepreneurial by nature, their mission is to serve the world and
inspire people to live their best lives through the power of storytelling. BorrowBox is a digital library experience that gives readers and listeners access to thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks for free, with nothing more than a quick download and the details on their library card.