10 Audiobooks to Read During Native American Heritage Month

We asked Carolann Jane Duro, founder of Quiet Quail Books and the NDN Book Nerd, to share audiobooks they recommend for Native American Heritage Month. Read on for Carolann’s picks, and make sure to add these to your TBR!


The Night Watchman

By Louise Erdrich • Narrated by Louise Erdrich

#1 – The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich

The best thing about a historical fiction novel is how you learn about our nation’s and peoples history all in one. The Termination Era is something that we can’t forget and should always be concerned with its potential in the future.


#2 – Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Diaz

I always have to give my flowers to fellow California Indian folks and a 2SLGBTQ+ author at that is even more of a bonus. This Pulitzer Prize winner has humor, relevant commentary on politics and climate change, and a deep telling of experiencing love and intimacy.

Postcolonial Love Poem

By Natalie Diaz • Narrated by Natalie Diaz


Braiding Sweetgrass

By Robin Wall Kimmerer • Narrated by Robin Wall Kimmerer

#3 – Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Perhaps the most popular Indigenous authored novel as of the past few years, but worth it for inspiring a radical reimagination of our relationship with our plant spirits and how to restructure our economy and politic for our future generations.


#4 – The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

My favorite novel I’ve read this year, especially as an Indigenous bookseller myself, which lives through the character Tookie. You cannot miss the ending!

The Sentence

By Louise Erdrich • Narrated by Louise Erdrich


The Language Warrior’s Manifesto

By Anton Treuer • Narrated by Kaipo Schwab

#5 – The Language Warrior’s Manifesto by Anton Treuer

As a Native Linguist, language is my every single day. Anton does not hold back in delivering the raw truth of the grit and revolution language revitalization necessitates.


#6 – The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson

Tragic, real, and hopeful. If you’re looking for an adoptee perspective and a beautiful fiction novel to follow Braiding Sweetgrass, this is it.

The Seed Keeper

By Diane Wilson • Narrated by Kyla García


My Heart is a Chainsaw

By Stephen Graham Jones • Narrated by Cara Gee

#7 – My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Horror fans rejoice! Seriously, horror fans. Jade will be able to list off at least five of your top favorite horror films probably within the first 30 minutes you listen. Also, cannot miss the ending.


#8

Our History is the Future by Nick Estes

Standing Rock was the most contemporary Indigenous resurgence since Wounded Knee and exposed how our technological advancement is now seeping into arming the colonial class with even more weaponry against our Indigenous movements for the climate. You will absolutely learn a thing or twenty!

Our History is the Future

By Nick Estes • Narrated by Bill Andrew Quinn


In My Own Moccasins

By Helen Knott • Narrated by Helen Knott

#9 – In My Own Moccasins by Helen Knott

My favorite genre is memoir and hearing this was deeply personal and diving into such challenging topics as addiction and sexual assault, you’ll be taken on a healing journey through traditional ceremony and historical awareness.


#10 – Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

One of the most successful Indigenous fantasy to date that takes you through an entire family in generations and on a love story. Perfect for readers like me who struggle with fantasy and futurism because I get so confused and distracted, but the audio format helps so much!

Black Sun

By Rebecca Roanhorse • Narrated by Cara Gee, Nicole Lewis, Kaipo Schwab & Shaun Taylor-Corbett


10 Audiobooks to Read During Native American Heritage Month cover

10 Audiobooks to Read During Native American Heritage Month

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