Books On Tape

Booklist’s starred review for AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE says, “[Helen] Ellis’s 12 short stories about women under pressure are archly, acerbically, even surreally hilarious. By extracting elements from the southern gothic tradition, Shirley Jackson, and Margaret Atwood, Ellis has forged her own molten, mind-twisting storytelling mode.” It’s also now a LibraryReads Pick (“it is pretty hilarious, in the darkest, most twisted of ways.”) and received a starred review from Library Journal (“Anyone who has ever contemplated having a drawer specifically for glitter or has felt awkwardly settled into the domestic life will appreciate this not-to-be-missed collection.”)!

AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE is available to libraries as a CD and audio download read by the fabulous foursome of Kathleen McInerney, Lisa Cordileone, Rebecca Lowman and Dorothy Dillingham Blue. But author Helen Ellis also took her turn behind the mic to record this amazing extra short story—a lucky #13 shall we call it? This super funny library-themed “shortie short” was written especially with librarians in mind, and is sure to make you smile. Enjoy!

“How To Check Out a Library Book Like a Grown-Ass Lady”
“Listen while you coupon. This is the best short story ever.”
—Ann Kingman, PRH Sales, Books on the Nightstand podcast

AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE was all the rage on EarlyWord galley chats. And the hilarious Helen Ellis’s words are meant to be heard…just wait until you hear the audiobook (a BOT Library CD Exclusive and audio download), read by some fabulous and funny females. Perfect to “listen while you baste” or “listen while you lint roll.” Keep up with Helen Ellis’s adventures on Twitter at @WhatIDoAllDay.

“Ellis’s darkly funny collection is a box of bonbons laced with absinthe…Kathleen McInerney, Rebecca Lowman, Lisa Cordileone, and Dorothy Dillingham Blue provide appropriately sweet readings with real bite underneath.”—Library Journal, starred review

Helen Ellis behind the mic
“like a grown-ass lady”

Helen with sound engineer
Richie Romaniello

Helen with audiobook producer Julie Wilson

This is Helen Ellis, signing off!

“In a series of short stories, Helen Ellis picks up the rock of American domesticity and shows us what’s underneath. While it’s not always pretty, it is pretty hilarious, in the darkest, most twisted of ways. The ladies in these stories seem to be living lives that are enviable in the extreme, but then slowly, the layers are pulled away, and the truth is revealed.”—Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, CT (LibraryReads review)

LISTEN TO A CLIP

View our growing LibraryReads Make Great Listens collection. Place the audiobook next to the hardcover and watch your circulation soar.