Ever wonder what characters in your favorite books would be reading if they were real? For Emily Henry’s latest book, Funny Story, we imagined the characters’ potential to-be-read (TBR) lists, which just might inspire your own!

Meet Miles and Daphne

Daphne

Daphne is a children’s librarian in Michigan who loves books, her mom, and until recently, her boyfriend Peter. He suddenly broke up with her and left her for his lifelong “just a friend” Petra. Daphne has a complicated relationship with her dad, has a hard time making new friends as an adult, and since getting kicked out of her place she shared with her Peter, has moved in with Miles.

Miles

Miles is Petra’s ex and Daphne’s new roommate, and they bond over their breakups. He works at a popular winery and when he’s not watching Bridget Jones Diary on repeat while processing the end of his relationship, he’s sociable and charms everyone in their small town. Miles loves cheesy action movies, his sister Jules, and can relate to Daphne’s complex feelings about her dad, as he and his sister also have a complicated relationship with their parents.

Their story

Daphne and Miles start a fake relationship to try and make their exes jealous but … (spoiler alert) funny story, they fall in love instead.

Librarian meets reluctant reader

Julia Whelan’s narration brings these characters to life in the audiobook of Emily Henry’s Funny Story. In the book, they talk about reading and how much Daphne loves to get lost in a story. Miles doesn’t feel the same way about books.

“Ah,” [Miles] says. “Not a big reader.”
“I know that’s a possibility,” [Daphne] say[s], “and yet I truly cannot fathom it.”
“What do you like about it,” he says.
“Everything,” I say.
… [Miles] “As a kid, I never read for fun. I’m dyslexic, and it took too long.”
“What about audiobooks?” I say.
“Does that count?” he asks.
“Of course it counts,” I say.
His eyes narrow. “Are you sure?”
“I’m a librarian,” I say. “if anyone gets to decide whether it counts or not, it’s me.”

Daphne cites the Chronicles of Narnia series as one of the biggest drivers behind her passion for reading. She introduces Miles to audiobooks with the classic Narnia tale, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

This confirmation that audiobooks count as reading just might inspire Miles to expand his TBR list—and maybe even try the OpenDyslexic font in the Libby app!

Books that Daphne & Miles might enjoy

Audiobooks to help through a breakup

Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed 🎧

This insightful collection from the Dear Sugar advice column brings wisdom to many more readers.

Keep Moving by Maggie Smith 🎧

A collection of quotes and essays on facing life’s challenges with creativity, courage, and resilience.

Navigating complicated relationships

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD 🎧

In this breakthrough book, clinical psychologist Lindsay Gibson exposes the destructive nature of parents who are emotionally immature or unavailable.

You Will Find Your People by Lane Moore 🎧

This is the groundbreaking guide to making—and keeping— the friends we’ve all been desperately waiting for.

Daphne’s Story Hour children’s book picks

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin 📚

This deliciously funny read-aloud is an unforgettable tale of new friends and the perfect snack that will make you laugh until spicy salsa comes out of your nose.

The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka 🎧

Listen to these off-the-wall fairy tales in audiobook format.

Cherry Hill Winery inspired picks for Miles

Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch 🎧

The “magic” of wine is Lynch’s subject as he takes the listener on a singular journey through the Loire, Bordeaux, the Languedoc, Provence, northern and southern Rhone, and Burgundy.

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker 🎧

With boundless curiosity, humor, and a healthy dose of skepticism, Bosker takes the reader inside underground tasting groups, exclusive New York City restaurants, California mass-market wine factories, and even a neuroscientist’s fMRI machine as she attempts to answer the most nagging question of all: what’s the big deal about wine?

Action-packed audiobooks

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 🎧

A speculative thriller about an ordinary man who awakens in a world inexplicably different from the reality he thought he knew.

Before the Fall by Noah Hawley 🎧

On a foggy summer night, 11 people depart on a private jet headed for New York that plunges into the ocean. The only survivors are the painter and a four-year-old boy, who is now the last remaining member of an immensely wealthy and powerful media mogul’s family.

Fake dating into real romance

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory 🎧

A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in this fun and flirty multicultural romance debut.

Well Matched by Jen DeLuca 📚

A pretend relationship gives two friends more than they bargained for in a Renaissance Faire rom-com filled with flower crowns, kilts, corsets, and sword fights.

*Title availability may vary by library & region.

Check out your library and borrow these books for free on the Libby app.

Listen to Narrator Julia Whelan live!

Don’t miss out!

If you’re in the Las Vegas area on Saturday July 20, 2024, come Check Out Your Library and stop by AREA15 near the Omega Mart entrance (home to the Meow Wolf exhibition) to hear Funny Story narrator Julia Whelan do live audiobook narration and a Q&A on the interactive LV (Library Vehicle) pictured here, in partnership with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District.

It’s a free event and the first stop on the nationwide Fiction and Film Tour.

RELATED READ: 11 compelling audiobooks narrated by Julia Whelan