Online reading and listening options:
SORA
Our School District source for ebooks and audio books.
Instructions for setting up the app are here
Vancouver Island Regional Library
The public library is now allowing you to sign up for a library card online!
You can use their Libby app or link your VIRL account to your SORA account. See the above instructions.
Amazon Prime Reading
If you have an Amazon.ca Prime account it includes thousands of Kindle books for free.
Just download the Kindle app and sync it to your account.
Podcasts:
Open up your favourite audio app and dive into these great listening picks.
Welcome to Night Vale
A scripted, surreal, paranormal show, presented as if it were a community radio broadcast from an imaginary and unnerving town. Think Twin Peaks meets Parks and Rec, and note that this one is better for older teens.
99% Invisible
Podcasting expert Frank Hablawi, executive producer of Non-Productive.com, says, "99% Invisible is ostensibly about the design process that goes into everyday things, but it's really about the hidden elements in our shared world and how those details link us all together."
Dear Hank and John
Real brothers and vloggers John Green (The Fault in Our Stars, yes, that John Green) and his brother Hank (a YouTuber) co-host a lighthearted advice podcast where they answer questions on everything from random thoughts to deep, emotional topics. The advice they give out is mostly good and always entertaining. Their easy camaraderie and self-deprecating charm make you feel like you're in on their inside jokes (of which there are many).
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
What if the Harry Potter series was considered a holy book? While this can feel true to many Potter fans, this thoughtful, spiritual podcast actually puts it into practice. Each episode takes a chapter of a Harry Potter book and looks at it through the lens of a universal theme like love, hope, or destiny. You don't need to be religious to enjoy this delightful series, but it's not always spoiler-free, so make sure you've read the books ahead of time.
#WhoWouldWin
Have you ever wanted to know who would win a fight: Luke Skywalker or Spider-Man? Finally, someone is taking this question and others like it seriously in a geeky podcast about beloved comic, sci-fi, and fantasy characters. And while the audio quality isn't a match for some of the more established podcasts on this list, the lively, well-researched, well-argued debates between the hosts more than make up for it.
What's Good Games
What's Good Games is an informative, funny weekly podcast all about video games. The three hosts (who happen to be female) have great chemistry and demonstrate clear expertise on the biggest games on the market. The (very long) episodes cover news, listener questions, and personal experiences playing games. But keep in mind: While the podcast itself is OK for teens, some of the games they discuss are very mature.
Sssh! Periods!
Sssh! Periods is a biweekly podcast that grew from concentrating on the stigma surrounding periods to sharing social commentary. The podcast is hosted by seven eight graders from a middle school in the Bronx and has bite-sized clips of local impact stories that touch on toxic masculinity, homelessness, and of course, sexism.
Teenager Therapy
This campfire-style podcast has been running since 2018. Although its five hosts — Gael, Mark, Thomas, Kayla and Issac — were recently featured in the New York Times and Wired, they retain a down-to-earth feel as they explore topics like drugs, body shaming, young love and sexuality through a high school lens.
Wait Wait … Don't Tell Me!
Brainy teens will love this NPR quiz show for its wacky blend of news and comedy. Longtime host Peter Sagal and a panel of comedians/journalists run through a series of recurring segments about the latest news, and listeners can call in to compete. There's even a weekly celebrity guest. Although it's appropriate for radio broadcast, occasionally the jokes get a bit off-color, so make sure teens are mature enough to handle it.
Books - those paper and ink things
If actual paper and ink books are your preference, check out some titles from these lists:
Online reading and listening options:
SORA
Our School District source for ebooks and audio books.
Instructions for setting up the app are here
Vancouver Island Regional Library
The public library is now allowing you to sign up for a library card online!
You can use their Libby app or link your VIRL account to your SORA account. See the above instructions.
Amazon Prime Reading
If you have an Amazon.ca Prime account it includes thousands of Kindle books for free.
Just download the Kindle app and sync it to your account.
Podcasts:
Open up your favourite audio app and dive into these great listening picks.
Welcome to Night Vale
A scripted, surreal, paranormal show, presented as if it were a community radio broadcast from an imaginary and unnerving town. Think Twin Peaks meets Parks and Rec, and note that this one is better for older teens.
99% Invisible
Podcasting expert Frank Hablawi, executive producer of Non-Productive.com, says, "99% Invisible is ostensibly about the design process that goes into everyday things, but it's really about the hidden elements in our shared world and how those details link us all together."
Dear Hank and John
Real brothers and vloggers John Green (The Fault in Our Stars, yes, that John Green) and his brother Hank (a YouTuber) co-host a lighthearted advice podcast where they answer questions on everything from random thoughts to deep, emotional topics. The advice they give out is mostly good and always entertaining. Their easy camaraderie and self-deprecating charm make you feel like you're in on their inside jokes (of which there are many).
Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
What if the Harry Potter series was considered a holy book? While this can feel true to many Potter fans, this thoughtful, spiritual podcast actually puts it into practice. Each episode takes a chapter of a Harry Potter book and looks at it through the lens of a universal theme like love, hope, or destiny. You don't need to be religious to enjoy this delightful series, but it's not always spoiler-free, so make sure you've read the books ahead of time.
#WhoWouldWin
Have you ever wanted to know who would win a fight: Luke Skywalker or Spider-Man? Finally, someone is taking this question and others like it seriously in a geeky podcast about beloved comic, sci-fi, and fantasy characters. And while the audio quality isn't a match for some of the more established podcasts on this list, the lively, well-researched, well-argued debates between the hosts more than make up for it.
What's Good Games
What's Good Games is an informative, funny weekly podcast all about video games. The three hosts (who happen to be female) have great chemistry and demonstrate clear expertise on the biggest games on the market. The (very long) episodes cover news, listener questions, and personal experiences playing games. But keep in mind: While the podcast itself is OK for teens, some of the games they discuss are very mature.
Sssh! Periods!
Sssh! Periods is a biweekly podcast that grew from concentrating on the stigma surrounding periods to sharing social commentary. The podcast is hosted by seven eight graders from a middle school in the Bronx and has bite-sized clips of local impact stories that touch on toxic masculinity, homelessness, and of course, sexism.
Teenager Therapy
This campfire-style podcast has been running since 2018. Although its five hosts — Gael, Mark, Thomas, Kayla and Issac — were recently featured in the New York Times and Wired, they retain a down-to-earth feel as they explore topics like drugs, body shaming, young love and sexuality through a high school lens.
Wait Wait … Don't Tell Me!
Brainy teens will love this NPR quiz show for its wacky blend of news and comedy. Longtime host Peter Sagal and a panel of comedians/journalists run through a series of recurring segments about the latest news, and listeners can call in to compete. There's even a weekly celebrity guest. Although it's appropriate for radio broadcast, occasionally the jokes get a bit off-color, so make sure teens are mature enough to handle it.
Books - those paper and ink things
If actual paper and ink books are your preference, check out some titles from these lists:
