Michael Collina
History and Hear My Story editor Michael is drawn to inclusive histories, feminist theory, and LGBTQIA+ stories of every kind. A New Jersey native and lifelong fast-talker, he is unapologetically queer and lives in Colorado with his partner. When he’s not trying to catch up on his TBLT list, Michael is probably tending to his houseplants, exploring local historical sites and museums, or trying out a new recipe in his kitchen.
Favorite listens of 2024
Articles and interviews
“By the Fire We Carry” is a landmark work of American history and reporting
Exploring the generations-long fight for justice, writer and activist Rebecca Nagle’s powerful reporting provides both the historical and contemporary legal context surrounding Tribal sovereignty and territory in the United States.
“The Indian Card” offers a glimpse into the complexity of Indigenous identities and enrollment
In her debut work of nonfiction, Carrie Lowry Schuettpelz gives listeners a groundbreaking and personal exploration of Tribal enrollment policies, and what it means to be Native American in the United States.
“The Anti-Ableist Manifesto” is a must-listen guide to building a disability-inclusive world
With contributions from other disability advocates and scholars, Tiffany Yu’s self-narrated audiobook is a revolutionary guide on allyship and building more inclusive habits.
Refusal, joy, and other acts of radical resistance
With We Refuse, historian and podcaster Kellie Carter Jackson shines a light on the breadth of Black resistance, resilience, and joy, from historical fights against racism to empowering new paths toward liberation.
"The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky" shows how the patriarchy affects us all, boys included
Josh Galarza's debut novel is a touching YA story about overcoming fear, finding friendship, and healing what ails us.
"An Unfinished Love Story" is Doris Kearns Goodwin’s most personal history yet
Part memoir of the 1960s, part biography of her husband, the Pulitzer winner’s latest is a self-narrated audio treasure including archival recordings and guest starring Bryan Cranston.
Eliot Schrefer unravels his fascination with the real-life "Charming Young Man"
The author shares how a breakup and a painting inspired his historical novel about a little-known 1890s French pianist and his relationship with Marcel Proust.
“Nobody Needs to Know” is a memoir everyone needs to hear
Sharing their journey of self-love, empowerment, and well-being, Pidgeon Pagonis emerges as a powerful voice in the fight against binary understandings of the human experience.
“Imogen, Obviously” and the Discourse of Coming Out
Following her own public coming out story, Becky Albertalli uses her characters to reclaim the narrative and better understand her emotions.
TJ Klune's Futuristic Take on Pinocchio is the Found-Family Story We Needed
Bestselling author TJ Klune talks about the “uniquely portable magic of books,” queer representation, and how a googly-eyed Roomba inspired his new novel.
Bushra Rehman’s novel is a coming-of-age gem about growing up queer and Muslim in America
Author, poet, and activist Bushra Rehman’s “Roses, In The Mouth of a Lion” is an autofiction exploration of finding your family—and your true self.
Katalina Gamarra’s "Ben and Beatriz" Is Every Book Nerd’s Dream
With her debut novel, Katalina Gamarra draws on her love of all things literature in a retelling of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” that’s brimming with positive representations of mental health recovery, neurodiversity, and queer and Latinx identities.
All-time favorites
