Sometimes the most surprising pairings are the most memorable. Crisp Brut brings bright bubbles and refreshing acidity that cut through richness while highlighting sweetness in unexpected ways. Pair it with Nerds Clusters, and you get a playful contrast: tangy, crunchy candy popping against the wine’s clean, dry finish.
Add Brie cheese to the mix, and the pairing finds balance. Brie’s creamy, buttery texture softens the candy’s tart edge while the Brut keeps everything light and lively. It’s a fun, modern snack moment that blends elegance with nostalgia!!! Perfect for sharing or savoring solo.
$12 for the wine and snack pairing, in store 1/4–1/10.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Paper & Vine Book Bar may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The Best Audiobooks to Listen to While Cleaning
I don’t know who needs to hear this, but the secret to enjoying chores isn’t a better vacuum, it’s a better audiobook.
As a bookstore owner, busy mom, and someone who is constantly trying to squeeze more reading into everyday life, I’ve discovered that the right audiobook can completely change how I feel about dishes, laundry, and tidying up. Suddenly, cleaning isn’t something standing between me and my next chapter—it becomes part of the reading experience.
If you’ve been looking for audiobooks that make chores fly by, these are some of my favorites.
For When You Want to Laugh While Folding Laundry
This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum
If you love podcasts, Julia Whelan, dual POV and a mashup of suspense, mystery and love across a moving timeline, this is YOUR BOOK. I loved it!!! Trigger warning for domestic violence.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Warm, funny, and surprisingly moving. This one feels like chatting with a friend while you tackle a mountain of laundry.
For Deep Cleaning Days
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
An audiobook that makes you mad, sad, and a little crazy?? This ones a TRIP! Perfect for long days and listens so you have the time to sit in your disbelief and confusion.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
A gripping historical novel that’s hard to pause. You’ll be looking for extra chores just to keep listening.
For Cozy Evening Resets
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
A charming novel centered around letters, connection, and community. Perfect for a slow evening tidy-up with a cup of tea nearby.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
A love letter to books, bookstores, and second chances. Cozy, heartwarming, and easy to sink into.
For Escaping Somewhere Beautiful
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Emily Henry always feels like a mini vacation, and this one is perfect for making everyday chores feel a little brighter.
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
Amazing romance/friends to lovers that has THE BEST setting, holy cow. You need this one.
For When You Need Thrills
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
If you’re tackling closets, organizing cabinets, or cleaning out the garage, a good mystery makes the time disappear.
My Husbands Wife by Alice Feeney
Fast-paced and addictive. Hope your cleaning journey doesnt have as many twists and turns as this one has!!
Why Audiobooks Work So Well for Chores
Most of us don’t need more time to read, we need better ways to use the time we already have.
Audiobooks turn ordinary moments into reading moments. The dishes still get done. The laundry still gets folded. The floors still get swept. But instead of feeling like time lost, those tasks become time spent inside a great story.
That’s why you’ll often find me listening while I clean the kitchen, fold clothes, or tackle the never-ending toy pickup that comes with having young kids.
And honestly? Some days the audiobook is the only reason the chores get done at all.
Why I Switched to Libro.fm App
A few years ago, I listened to nearly all of my audiobooks through Audible. It was convenient, but I didn’t realize there was another option that supports independent bookstores.
That’s why I made the switch to Libro.fm.
Libro.fm works much like other audiobook platforms, but instead of your membership supporting a large corporation, every purchase helps an independent bookstore of your choice. For me, that’s a win-win: I still get the audiobooks I love, and the money stays within the independent book community.
If you’re thinking about making the switch too, Libro.fm is currently offering new members two free audiobooks when you use code SWITCH.
And if you’re signing up, I’d be honored if you’d consider selecting Paper & Vine Book Bar as your supporting bookstore. Your membership and audiobook purchases directly support our little independent bookstore and help us continue creating a space for readers, book clubs, events, and community here in West Texas.
Whether you choose Paper & Vine or another local indie bookstore, every audiobook purchased through Libro.fm helps keep independent bookstores thriving.
Happy listening, and happy cleaning.
Paper & Vine
We Broke Up With Audible (And What We Use Instead)
If you’re anything like us, your “to be read” pile grows faster than your free time.
Between work, kids, running a business, laundry, dishes, and all the little things that fill a day, finding hours to sit down with a physical book can feel impossible. That’s why audiobooks have become one of our favorite ways to read.
Whether we’re driving to work, cleaning the kitchen, folding laundry, or taking a walk, audiobooks help us fit more stories into our lives.
For years, we used Audible.
But recently, we made a switch.
please note there will likely be affiliate links in these blogs, thank you for supporting our little shop!
Why We Left Audible
First, let’s be clear: Audible works. We never had major complaints about the listening experience.
The app is easy to use, the audiobook selection is massive, and it’s introduced us to countless stories.
But as owners of an independent bookstore, we started asking ourselves a simple question:
If we believe independent bookstores matter, shouldn’t our audiobook purchases support them too?
The more we thought about it, the harder it became to ignore.
We spend our days encouraging readers to shop local, discover indie bookstores, and support the literary communities they love. Yet our audiobook spending was going elsewhere.
Eventually, we decided it was time for a change.
What We Use Instead: Libro.fm
Today, we use Libro.fm for nearly all of our audiobook listening.
The experience is remarkably similar to Audible. You purchase audiobooks, listen through an app, and build your personal library.
The difference?
When you buy audiobooks through Libro.fm, your purchase supports an independent bookstore.
That means your monthly audiobook habit can help keep local bookstores thriving.
For us, that was a game changer.
Why We Love Libro.fm
It Supports Independent Bookstores
This was the biggest reason we switched.
Every audiobook purchase helps strengthen the independent bookstore community that we care so much about.
The App Is Easy to Use
One of our concerns was whether we’d be giving up convenience.
Thankfully, we haven’t found that to be the case.
The app is simple, clean, and easy to navigate.
The Selection Is Excellent
Most of the books we wanted were already available.
From bestselling fiction and romance to memoirs, mysteries, and literary fiction, we haven’t felt limited in our choices.
We Still Get to Read More
At the end of the day, the reason we listen to audiobooks hasn’t changed.
They allow us to experience more stories during seasons of life when sitting down with a physical book isn’t always possible.
Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
This debate pops up in the book world all the time.
Our answer is simple:
Yes.
Reading isn’t a competition.
The goal isn’t to impress anyone with how many books you’ve finished or what format you used.
The goal is to experience stories, learn new ideas, connect with characters, and enjoy books.
If audiobooks help you do that, they count.
When We Listen to Audiobooks
Most of our listening happens during everyday moments:
Morning commutes
School pickup lines
Walks around the neighborhood
Folding laundry
Cleaning the house
Long road trips
Quiet afternoons by the pool
Those little pockets of time add up surprisingly fast.
Final Thoughts
Breaking up with Audible wasn’t about finding a better app.
It was about finding an option that aligned more closely with our values.
As readers and independent bookstore owners, we wanted our audiobook purchases to support the kinds of places we love.
For us, Libro.fm has been the perfect fit.
If you’ve been curious about audiobooks or looking for an alternative to Audible, it may be worth exploring.
You might discover your next favorite book—and support an independent bookstore at the same time.
Use code SWITCH to get two free audios!
note this is an affiliate blog and our one bookstore does make profit share from ordered links. Thanks for shopping our little store!
Happy listening,
Paper & Vine
The June 2026 Book Releases We're Most Excited About
Summer reading season is officially here, and June is bringing an incredible mix of literary fiction, thrillers, fantasy adventures, romance, and page-turning mysteries. Whether you're looking for a book to toss in your beach bag, pack for a road trip, or enjoy on the patio, with a glass of wine, these are the June releases currently topping our TBR.
If your summer reading list is already growing out of control, don’t worry—we’re right there with you.
Shop Our June New Releases Collection
We’ve made it easy to browse all of these titles in one place.
Shop our curated June 2026 New Releases Collection on Bookshop.org and support independent bookstores while building your summer TBR.
Whether you’re looking for a twisty thriller, a magical romance, or a literary novel you’ll be thinking about for weeks, we’ve gathered our favorites into one convenient collection.
Browse the collection here: June 2026 New Releases
Whistler by Ann Patchett
Whenever Ann Patchett releases a new novel, readers pay attention. Whistler promises the thoughtful storytelling, rich characters, and emotional depth that have made Patchett one of the most beloved literary authors writing today.
Perfect for:
Literary fiction lovers
Fans of Tom Lake
Readers who enjoy character-driven stories
Land by Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell has a gift for transporting readers into beautifully crafted worlds, and Land looks poised to become one of the literary standouts of the summer.
Perfect for:
Historical fiction readers
Literary fiction fans
Readers who loved Hamnet
It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell
Lisa Jewell continues her reign as one of the queens of psychological suspense. If you love secrets, twists, unreliable narrators, and stories that keep you guessing until the final chapter, this one belongs on your list.
Perfect for:
Thriller readers
Fans of Freida McFadden
Readers who love shocking twists
The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston has become one of our favorite comfort-read authors, blending romance with a touch of magic. The Someday Garden sounds like the perfect warm-weather read.
Perfect for:
Romance readers
Fans of magical realism
Readers who loved The Seven Year Slip
Harvest Season by Brynne Weaver
After generating major buzz among romance readers, Harvest Season is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the month.
Perfect for:
Dark romance fans
Readers who enjoy morally gray characters
Fans of intense relationships
The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
Summer, family dynamics, and a beachy atmosphere make this one of the season’s most intriguing contemporary fiction releases.
Perfect for:
Women’s fiction readers
Beach-read lovers
Fans of family-centered stories
The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden
Fantasy readers have been eagerly awaiting Katherine Arden’s next release. Expect lush worldbuilding, folklore influences, and unforgettable storytelling.
Perfect for:
Fantasy readers
Fairy tale lovers
Fans of atmospheric stories
The Housewife by Natalie Barelli
Natalie Barelli rarely disappoints thriller fans, and The Housewife looks like another addictive read packed with secrets and suspense.
Perfect for:
Domestic thriller readers
Fans of hidden secrets
Weekend binge readers
Tropesick by Lauren Okie
The title alone has us intrigued. Romance readers who love all the classic tropes—and maybe a few twists on them—will want to check this one out.
Perfect for:
Contemporary romance readers
Fans of grumpy/sunshine
Readers who love trope-heavy romance
Road Trip by Mary Kay Andrews
Summer and Mary Kay Andrews practically belong together. Road Trip sounds like the kind of feel-good escape readers reach for during vacation season.
Perfect for:
Beach-read lovers
Southern fiction fans
Readers wanting something fun and light
Heather by Caitlin Mullen
A literary mystery with gorgeous atmosphere and plenty of intrigue, Heather is already generating excitement among suspense readers.
Perfect for:
Literary mystery fans
Readers who enjoy slow-burn suspense
Fans of atmospheric settings
Gray After Dark by Noelle W. Ihli
One of the most talked-about thriller releases on Goodreads right now, Gray After Dark is attracting serious attention from suspense readers.
Perfect for:
Thriller readers
Fans of fast-paced suspense
Readers looking for their next page-turner
Looking for More Book Recommendations?
If you enjoyed this list, you’ll love being part of the Paper & Vine community.
Every week we share:
New release roundups
Seasonal reading recommendations
Book club ideas
Reading challenge printables
Discussion guides
Independent bookstore favorites
Join Our Email List
Subscribe below and get our newest reading recommendations, book club resources, and literary inspiration delivered straight to your inbox.
Because life is simply better with a great book and a community of readers. Scroll to bottom of page and put in email! :)
What’s On Your June TBR?
With so many exciting releases arriving this month, narrowing down our reading list might be the hardest part. We’d love to know—which June release are you most excited to read first? 📚✨
