A self-proclaimed book nerd with a soft spot for memoirs, feminist thought, and LGBT fiction. Michael has a broad range of interests, mostly because he still can’t decide what to listen to next. And it’s safe to assume that he’s still stuck in that never-ending cycle of starting a new book before finishing the last.

AUDIBLE EDITOR

Michael Collina

A self-proclaimed book nerd with a soft spot for memoirs, feminist thought, and LGBT fiction. Michael has a broad range of interests, mostly because he still can’t decide what to listen to next. And it’s safe to assume that he’s still stuck in that never-ending cycle of starting a new book before finishing the last.

Get to Know the Audible Romance Editors

Meet Audible editors Michael and Melissa in the video below, and then come join the conversation by signing up for the Audible Romance Fans Facebook group. You can also find Michael on Twitter.
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Michael's Recent Reviews

Product List
    • By: Kay Simone
    • Narrated by: Greg Tremblay
    • Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins
    • Release date: 08-01-17
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 746 ratings
    • A slow burn that’s literally out of this world
    • If you’ve listened to Audicted to Romance, then you’ve already heard me gush about One Giant Leap. Featuring a cast of characters on this planet and out among the stars, this contemporary love story is filled with so many cool space facts and NASA tidbits. Thrust into the position of mission capsule communicator—or CAPCOM—Patrick is the main point of contact for a high-profile space mission currently out in orbit. While the mission starts with some tension between Patrick and celebrity astronaut, Curt (a.k.a. Patrick’s childhood hero and crush), the two quickly develop a banter and chemistry that is SO CUTE. And since the two are always thousands of miles apart and unable to see or truly connect with one another, it is one of the slowest (and most exhilarating) slow burns of all time.
    • A Memoir of Two Marriages, Catfishing & Coming Out
    • By: William Dameron
    • Narrated by: Will Damron
    • Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
    • Release date: 07-01-19
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 772 ratings
    • Another aspect of the queer experience
    • Coming out can be a deeply emotional and intense experience. Though it differs for everyone, those who’ve been through it can speak to the fact that it’s more of a process than it is a single, one-time occurrence. William Dameron has crafted a brutally honest and introspective look at his own story, and I’m so thankful he’s decided to share this journey. Feeling more like a story shared between close friends than a memoir, there’s no better way to extend our celebration of LGBTQIA+ pride. And take a careful look at the author-narrator duo, because William Dameron the author and Will Damron the narrator are NOT the same person. Pretty perfect for a memoir that discusses catfishing, don’t you think?
    • Combing Through the Big Wigs of Show Business
    • By: Frank DeCaro, Bruce Vilanch - foreword
    • Narrated by: Frank DeCaro, Lady Bunny
    • Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
    • Release date: 06-04-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 38 ratings
    • A comprehensive HERstory of drag
    • Grab your wigs, I’ve got a confession to make. For the last few years, I’ve been faking it through just about every drag-related conversation that I’ve stumbled into. I haven’t been totally oblivious to the world of drag, but there have been some pretty significant gaps in my understanding of the history (ahem, HERstory) of the art form. Just in time for Pride month, Frank DeCaro and Lady Bunny deliver everything you could ever want to know about drag. Whether you’re already a fan, looking to stick your foot in the door, or simply drag-curious, you won’t want to miss out on the fierce attitude in the interviews, essays, and commentaries that make this a must-listen.
    • A Novel
    • By: Casey McQuiston
    • Narrated by: Ramon de Ocampo
    • Length: 12 hrs and 15 mins
    • Release date: 05-14-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 13,171 ratings
    • The fairy tale that I’ve always wanted
    • I don’t think there was any aspect of this story that DIDN’T get me excited. Dreamy gay prince? Check. Love letters? You bet. Not only are there excerpts from some of the biggest queer figures of British and American histories, but also the uniquely modern love letters of today—texts and emails. Filled with a cast of characters that span the Atlantic, narrator Ramon de Ocampo brings each to life with his voice. I can only imagine the "face journey" everyone around me saw unfold as I listened. In her debut, Casey McQuiston has penned both a joyful celebration of people and the progress that this world has already made and also a reminder of how much work is still left to be done—all while addressing issues of racism, sexism, sexuality, and the sometimes rigid expectations of those around us.
    • By: N.R. Walker
    • Narrated by: Joel Leslie
    • Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
    • Release date: 10-03-17
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 1,173 ratings
    • There's always more than meets the eye
    • While I wouldn’t really consider myself a patient person in my daily life, I’ll fully admit that I’m all about a slow burn in my romance. There’s just something so satisfying about a friends-to-lovers story where the heroes take their time getting to know each other and nurture their emotional connection. And when you’re able to laugh alongside the anticipation, it’s a win-win all around. Henry and Reed both come off as two of the sweetest, most down-to-earth, and relatable guys you could imagine. (I mean who hasn’t cursed the treadmill during a workout?) And in tackling issues with body image and weight loss, The Weight of It All proves itself an uplifting and thoughtful take on learning to love yourself and find your inner confidence.
    • A Memoir of a Shape-Shifting City
    • By: Robert Elms
    • Narrated by: Robert Elms
    • Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
    • Release date: 03-07-19
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
    • Every city has its story
    • I’m almost certain that everyone in the office can tell you about my London travel plans later this month (sorry not sorry), and this is the perfect pre-trip listen. I haven’t been back since I was a study abroad student, but I distinctly remember taking a class on this exact subject: the evolution, diaspora, and eventual gentrification of the city. While it’s happening all over the world, Robert Elms finds the voice of London that’s both uniquely personal, yet applicable to the city itself. There’s something incredibly intimate about the place we ultimately decide to call home, and Elms’s narration truly brings that sentiment to life.
    • By: Lauren Blakely
    • Narrated by: Erin Mallon, Joe Arden
    • Series: Lucky in Love, Book 1
    • Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins
    • Release date: 02-26-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,404 ratings
    • Another home run from Lauren Blakely
    • Holy slow burn. I always know I’m in store for a treat when Lauren Blakely’s latest hits my library, and man, does this friends-to-lovers rom-com hit the spot. From bookstore cats to discussions of etymology and even some wine-and-book pairings, I think this one covers just about all of my favorite things. Erin Mallon brings local bookstore owner (and resident nice girl) Arden East to life, as Joe Arden voices the baseball player turned fireman of everyone’s dreams. These two always manage to hit it out of the park with their narration, but the duet-style really elevates their banter and dirty talk to a tantalizing new level. And with a bonus interview with the narrators included at the end, this is one you definitely won’t want to miss.
    • An Inside Look at a Year of College Boys Becoming Men
    • By: Alexandra Robbins
    • Narrated by: Alexandra Robbins
    • Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
    • Release date: 02-05-19
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
    • A history, case study, and analysis of modern masculinity
    • Coming from a school without Greek life, I’ve always had a slight fascination with fraternities. Alexandra Robbins has managed to craft (and then narrate) a historical analysis of fraternities and masculinity that not only feels approachable, but blends her voice and research with the student's she's interviewed. While she does explore the idea of the hard partying and hyper-masculine frat bro, she also offers a refreshing take on fraternities that move beyond toxic masculinity and negative stereotypes. Partially a critique and partially a guide, it proves to be a riveting analysis and fantastic companion for anyone currently involved in, interested in, or in any way connected to the future of Greek life in American universities.
    • By: Anna Stuart
    • Narrated by: Peter Kenny, Victoria Fox
    • Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
    • Release date: 02-21-19
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
    • I have my tissue box at the ready
    • Taking place over the span of seventy years, Bonnie and Stan aren’t your typical hero and heroine. With a story that feels more like a saga, it begins from their first dates in the 1960s through their time spent raising children, grandchildren, and finally retiring. Throughout their relationship, author Anna Stuart manages to paint such a rich picture of what true love between soul mates can look like. And while it’s not always easy or apparent, also explores love in all its forms—including the difficult parts. From its inception at first sight or on a first date, all the way through the consistent companionship and kinship of our later years, Bonnie and Stan can showcase it all. And once Stan finds out his story is almost reaching its end, he is determined to get back out there and start dating again. Only this time he won't be looking for a date for himself, he'll be looking for a date for his Bonnie.
    • The Next Global Transformation of Cities
    • By: Peter Plastrik, John Cleveland
    • Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon
    • Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
    • Release date: 12-04-18
    • Language: English
    • 3.5 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
    • The front lines of urban sustainability
    • Climate change has been a hot topic in 2018. With most headlines emphasizing the damage done and changes coming, the examples of positive action and change in Life After Carbon feel like a much needed breath of fresh air (pun totally intended). Highlighting the work done in 25 “innovation lab” cities around the world, Plastrik and Cleveland explore the progressive insight and innovative new practices from the front lines of urban sustainability and eco-consciousness. While there’s still a ton of work to be done, I now can’t help but feel an invigorated glimmer of hope for the changing futures of our cities, for our planet, and for 2019.
    • By: Kara Cooney
    • Narrated by: Kara Cooney
    • Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins
    • Release date: 11-30-18
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,957 ratings
    • A feminist take on ancient Egypt
    • I won't lie, there was a point in my life where I dreamed about becoming an Egyptologist. And with so much history to explore, there's still a part of me with an insatiable appetite for more. For another layer of interest, Kara Cooney adds a touch of women's history as she discusses some of the female pharaohs who led this powerful and legendary civilization. From Hatshepsut to Nefertiti and Cleopatra, Cooney manages to synthesize modern perceptions of womanhood and femininity with those of ancient Egypt—and what feels like our eternal struggle to put women in positions of power—combining two of my favorite histories.
    • A Novel
    • By: John Jay Osborn
    • Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
    • Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
    • Release date: 10-23-18
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 303 ratings
    • An emotional character study for voyeurs
    • Where do I even begin with Listen to the Marriage? With a narrative that takes place over 10 months of a single couple’s marriage counseling, this novel made me keep forgetting I was listening to an audiobook. Gabra Zackman’s narration put me right in that office with Steven, Gretchen, and their marriage counselor, Sandy—making it feel as though I were eavesdropping on all of the intimate details of their marriage. I’ve never encountered a book that’s made me feel like this much of a fly on the wall. It’s a captivating exploration of love, marriage, and figuring out (and then holding onto) the most important things in your life.
    • The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist
    • By: Eli Saslow
    • Narrated by: Scott Brick, Eli Saslow
    • Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
    • Release date: 09-18-18
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,605 ratings
    • A personal look at the evolution of white nationalism
    • From the rise of David Duke in the '80s and '90s to the "All Lives Matter" protests of today, Rising Out of Hatred covers the history (and spectrum) of white nationalism in the United States. With a magnifying glass on Derek Black’s personal relationship to the movement, Saslow’s writing doesn’t necessarily encourage sympathy. But it does try to humanize, offering a powerful lesson in empathy and change. As the heir-apparent to Stormfront and white supremacist politics, Derek’s situation is by no means a one-size-fits-all example. Even so, given the current political climate and news cycle, it feels more than relevant to any listener.
    • A Memoir
    • By: Jeanne McCulloch
    • Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
    • Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
    • Release date: 08-14-18
    • Language: English
    • 3.5 out of 5 stars 102 ratings
    • A lot lies behind closed doors
    • If The Glass Castle jumped a couple tax brackets, I’d imagine it’d sound a lot like this book. McCulloch’s debut tackles the difficulties of coping with alcoholism and family dynamics, and how these things clash with expectations for those picture-perfect moments. More than a memoir about familial dysfunction, McCulloch’s debut manages to shine a light on a hidden side of the Hamptons—including a brief appearance from the "crazy cat ladies" down the street, Big and Little Edie Beale (of Grey Gardens). I saw this as not only a fun cultural touchpoint, but also a juxtaposition for the chaos behind the carefully manicured façades families can erect—and which many may recognize from their own lives.
    • By: Jasmine Guillory
    • Narrated by: Janina Edwards
    • Series: The Wedding Date, Book 2
    • Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
    • Release date: 10-30-18
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 3,588 ratings
    • A second home run from Guillory
    • The very idea of a public proposal is enough to make my skin crawl. And if that proposal doesn’t go well, there’s a second part you don’t quite think about: getting through the rest of the event (and the jeering baseball fans that come with it). In her sophomore novel, Jasmine Guillory returns with the same playful and relatable style (and subtle feminist commentary) that I absolutely adored in The Wedding Date. Plus, this story just felt so real—from the characters themselves, to the slow and natural romantic development, or the sometimes-absurd but always-interesting experiences that life can throw your way. Through it all, I could always see myself filling their shoes.
    • By: Libby Page
    • Narrated by: Clare Corbett
    • Length: 9 hrs and 18 mins
    • Release date: 07-10-18
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 199 ratings
    • Feel like a local
    • London holds a special place in my heart, and The Lido puts the neighborhood of Brixton front and center—from shopping for produce at Brixton Market, seeing a quick flick at the Ritzy Cinema, or swimming at the Brockwell Lido, for which this book is named. As I listened, I was flooded with memories of my own experience in London. But at its core, Libby Page’s debut highlights the fabric of any city neighborhood: the locations that a tourist probably wouldn’t visit, the little things a local may come to overlook, and most important, the people who live there. From an unconventional friendship to a surprise romance, this was a heart-warming listen that made tears well in my eyes up through the final second.
    • By: Karen Auvinen
    • Narrated by: Jayme Mattler
    • Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
    • Release date: 06-05-18
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 103 ratings
    • A brutal exploration of community, family, and growth
    • With a trip to Colorado planned for later this summer, I knew I had to give Rough Beauty a listen. Auvinen gives so much more than an account about roughing it in the Rockies; she holds nothing back as we experience those 40 seasons of natural living with her and the family she forms. From growing up in a male-dominated household to braving the fires, floods, and other perils that mountain life often throws your way, there’s never a dull moment. And with the rich descriptions of the nature, food, and animals she encounters on her journey, it was as if I could reach out and feel the environment she held so dear.
    • A Novel
    • By: North Morgan
    • Narrated by: Christian Coulson
    • Length: 6 hrs and 5 mins
    • Release date: 05-22-18
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 103 ratings
    • A new age for LGBT fiction
    • When I found out Christian Coulson would be narrating, this book went from “that’s interesting!” to “I need it.” It’s focused on the modern gay scene in cities across the country, and after listening to just a part of this book, I can’t wait to see what’s next for LGBT literature—especially now that more people are beginning to feel comfortable with their sexual and personal identities. Although I don’t entirely expect it to relate to my own experience, I’m curious to see how Morgan views an LGBT existence in an age of social media and constant connectivity.
    • By: Rupert Thomson
    • Narrated by: Kate Reading
    • Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins
    • Release date: 06-05-18
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 32 ratings
    • Art and love as an act of resistance
    • Treading a fine line between biography and historical fiction, Never Anyone but You reimagines the lives and love of Marcel Moore and Claude Cahun, androgynous names adopted by Suzanne Malherbe and Lucie Schwob. These artists involved with the surrealist and avant-garde movements of the early 20th century share a unique and complicated love story—particularly when their parents marry and they become step-siblings. Although unconventional, it proved a useful protection (albeit a bizarre twist of fate) during a time when homosexuality and ideas of non-conforming gender identities were not only frowned upon, but illegal. From their achievements in intellectual and artistic circles to their involvement in anti-Nazi resistance in German-occupied Paris and Jersey, it's about time that their story be heard, and their love and work celebrated.
    • A Novel
    • By: Yoav Blum
    • Narrated by: Fred Berman
    • Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
    • Release date: 03-06-18
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 145 ratings
    • The coincidence of love
    • I’m notoriously bad at making decisions, so I’m immediately drawn to anything and everything that falls in between the lines of categorization. Cue the genre-bending of The Coincidence Makers! Blum writes about precisely what the title suggests: a secret organization that orchestrates coincidences, ensures that destinies are fulfilled, and assigns imaginary friends. Addressing phenomena that everyone is at least a little familiar with, The Coincidence Makers almost reads as interconnected stories within a story as we’re thrust head-first into a complex and somewhat paradoxical world that defies all logic—but still feels right. After all, who doesn’t remember their old imaginary friend or a coincidence that felt a little too perfect? And with a sweet love story at the heart of this listen, it’s a cerebral feel-good that I’m already itching to revisit.