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36 Best Audiobooks to Listen to in Every Genre
Updated Jul. 31, 2024
The best audiobooks make long car rides fly by
Audiobooks make the perfect travel companion. Whether you’re on a road trip, commuting on the subway, running down a winding road or taking a stroll through the neighborhood, a compelling story can make time fly. But the best audiobooks don’t just help you pass the time—they transport you, entertain you and can even teach you something new. From free audiobooks to ones available through subscription services on platforms like Spotify, we’ve pulled together a diverse and exciting list of literature classics, contemporary fiction, gripping nonfiction, popular book series, memorable memoirs and more.
To create this curated collection, we looked at critically acclaimed titles, reader favorites and award winners and referenced a variety of best books lists. We also tapped literary experts, who weighed in on their top listens. These selections include brilliant debuts from new authors, anticipated novels from your favorite writers, highly rated books, nonfiction written by experts in their fields and a few tried-and-true classics. Our picks also reflect the quality of the audio narration—you’ll recognize some celebrity voices here!
Keep reading to find the best audiobooks in every category that you can start listening to today.
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Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
Genre: Fiction
For fans of: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
In Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Doerr’s 2021 novel, five characters all have one thing in common, in spite of spanning almost 600 years: their love for a long-lost and, at times, nonsensical story written by the ancient Greek author Antonius Diogenes. For them, this story has a massive impact and is alternately entertaining, consoling, motivating and even life-saving. One of the best fiction books of the year, Cloud Cuckoo Land immediately won over critics and readers alike. It was on the New York Times bestseller list for 11 weeks and earned a spot in AudioFile Magazine‘s Best Audiobooks of 2021. The audio version of Cloud Cuckoo Land is guaranteed to transport you, comfort you and challenge you.
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Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach
Genre: Nonfiction
For fans of: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
Can nature break the law? Popular science writer Mary Roach delves into the science behind human-animal conflict to answer just that in Fuzz. She tagged along with animal-attack forensics investigators, human-elephant conflict specialists, bear managers and “danger tree” faller blasters in attempts to uncover the best ways to solve or prevent conflicts between humans and wildlife. While talking about getting mugged by monkeys and taste-testing rat bait, she mixes plenty of her trademark humor with a wealth of scientific facts in her own narration, making it one of the funniest books to listen to as well.
Sociopath by Patric Gagne
Genre: Memoir
For fans of: Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive by Stephanie Land and Between Two Trailers by J. Dana Trent
One of the most anticipated nonfiction books of 2024, and perfect for fans of hard, gritty, real-life stories, Sociopath by Patric Gagne hits all the right notes. Gagne writes about her experience with sociopathy, also known as antisocial personality disorder, and her desire to live a nonviolent life.
“I love memoir audiobooks read by the author, but Sociopath might be the best one I’ve ever listened to,” says Karie Fugett, author of the forthcoming memoir Alive Day. “Not only is the story engaging—at times, I forgot it was nonfiction, and I find her experience with sociopathy fascinating—but Patric reads it like a pro. I’ve already recommended this audiobook to many of my friends.”
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Fantasy
For fans of: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin and Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Whether you’re a lover of fantasy books or you haven’t yet mingled with any high fae, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a must-read. This widely popular 2015 fantasy is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast. Readers will meet Feyre, a 19-year-old huntress whose skills are the only things keeping her family alive. But trouble comes to her cabin after she kills a wolf during one of her hunts—which wasn’t a wolf at all, but rather a shape-shifting faerie whose high lord comes and steals her away as retribution. She finds herself captive at the cursed Spring Court, ruled by the immortal and beautiful Tamlin. As Feyre adapts to Tamlin’s world, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion, and she’ll do anything she can to break the curse—or risk losing him forever.
This is a good audiobook. It’s cinematic, with a very high-quality production that includes background music, sound effects and multiple narrators.
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The Teacher by Freida McFadden
Genre: Thriller
For fans of: The Widow by Fiona Barton and First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Freida McFadden is a go-to for many thriller fans, and her 2024 book does not disappoint. Eve is a happily married local high school teacher with a seemingly idyllic life, but some secrets are threatening this picture-perfect world. A student-teacher affair leaves the small-town community and school scandalized, with high school student Addie at the center of the scandal. Eve knows there’s more to the story, but Addie’s willing to do anything to keep Eve quiet. This is a twisty and gritty thriller that is made even more pulse-pounding in audiobook format.
“I have listened to quite a lot of thrillers, but there hasn’t been a book that kept me guessing like The Teacher,” says Stephy George, an award-winning book blogger. “The twists are completely unexpected, and the tension remains constant from start to finish. It’s one of those binge-worthy audiobooks for a weekend. A friend of mine read it in one night and said it was worth every sleepless moment. The characters are rich, and the plot is so detailed that it keeps you hooked until the very end.”
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Genre: Science fiction
For fans of: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This 1996 book, the debut novel of now-science-fiction-superstar Neil Gaiman, is one of NPR’s Top 100 fantasy and science-fiction books of all time. When a young man stops to help a girl on the streets of London, he inadvertently becomes invisible, losing his life as he knows it while getting pulled into the alternate, magical world of the London Below. This supernatural British tale is sure to captivate you while it’s narrated by the author himself.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Romance
For fans of: River of Destiny by Barbara Erskine and The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley
They say that the books are always better, but if you’re already a fan of the time-traveling historical series on Starz, listening to the original audiobook will make you realize that the show is done pretty darn well. Of course, it’s nearly impossible to pack everything into a series of hourlong television episodes, so true Outlander fans will love having the gaps filled in and relationships further explored (not to mention even more steamy scenes involving Claire and her smoldering Scot, Jamie Fraser) by the unabridged romance novels. If you’re a fan of Audible, the full 19-book Outlander series is arguably one of the best on the platform.
Robin by Dave Itzkoff
Genre: Biography
For fans of: The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King and Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones
When Robin Williams died in 2014, many of us felt like we lost a member of our own family. Author Dave Itzkoff combed through more than 100 original interviews with Williams’s family, friends and colleagues, and relied on extensive archival research to write this comprehensive biography (released in 2018) that delves into the life of the beloved comedian. Covering everything from Williams’s unparalleled talent to his struggles with addiction and depression, Robin paints a stunning portrait of the legend that is Robin Williams.
In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park
Genre: Autobiography
For fans of: Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden and Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Brainwashing. Starvation. Human trafficking. Rats feasting on the bodies that line the streets. To say that life in North Korea is grim is an understatement. In one of the most gripping autobiographies you’ll ever read, Yeonmi Park details her life in North Korea and the harrowing details of fleeing with her mother at just 13 years old. In Order to Live, which was published in 2015, candidly recounts what it was like to be sold by human traffickers, to make a second escape through a brutal desert and to know that death is the best option should she be caught. This incredible story of one girl’s bravery, resilience and desire for a better life will leave you reeling.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Genre: Romance
For fans of: The Bodyguard by Katherine Centre and The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Author Emily Henry is the queen of cozy romance. In Book Lovers, we follow Nora Stephens, a cutthroat literary agent who spends a month in a North Carolina beach town after her sister begs her for a sisters’ trip. What Nora doesn’t expect is to keep bumping into Charlie Lastra, a book editor who isn’t exactly on her good side.
“I’ve recommended Book Lovers to many of my friends, and they all love it. It’s the perfect audiobook for a relaxing afternoon,” says George. “It has that sweet small-town romance charm that makes you want to move to a sleepy village immediately. I don’t think I have listened to a romance book and laughed this hard. Narrator Julia Whelan is so good that you’ll love listening to it again and again. I can guarantee you that this is going to be one of those audiobooks you’ll want to revisit whenever you need a dose of happiness.”
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Genre: Fantasy romance
For fans of: Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross and Bride by Ali Hazelwood
“I’m a huge fan of Fourth Wing (I know, who isn’t?), and recently did a reread via audiobook and opted for the graphic audio version. This took my experience of the book to a whole new level,” says Ashley Beenen, a romance BookToker. “If you aren’t familiar, graphic audio-produced audiobooks have a full cast, sound effects, music and more. It is like a play or movie in your mind; I think that’s their actual tagline. Sometimes when I listen to audiobooks, I’ll be multitasking and doing other things at the same time, but for this, I just found myself wanting to sit still and listen with rapt attention even though I already knew what would happen, having already read the book before.”
Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky
Genre: Horror
For fans of: The Shadows by Alex North and It by Stephen King
A screenwriter and director in addition to an author, Stephen Chbosky is best known for his beloved novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower. In 2019, 20 years after that book’s release and infinite success, Chbosky penned one of the creepiest horror books in recent memory, about a 7-year-old boy who is sent on a terrifying mission by a “nice man” only he can hear. It’s made even creepier when you listen on audio. His encounters with the hissing lady, fanged deer and an entire town gone mad make Imaginary Friend a book you definitely won’t want to listen to when the lights go out.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Genre: Dystopian fiction
For fans of: Catch-22 by Joseph Heller and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
If you’ve never read the classic 1957 dystopian novel Atlas Shrugged by controversial author Ayn Rand, now’s the time. See (or, rather, hear) what happens when one man sets out to show what would happen to the world if all the heroes of innovation and industry went on strike. This book will challenge everything you think you know about economics, government and morality, and ultimately leave you questioning your own worldviews. It’s also one of the most notable books written by a female author.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Genre: Fiction
For fans of: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This coming-of-age novel won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2014—and if you haven’t had time to read it, try listening to it, because it’s also one of the best audiobooks in literary fiction. A haunting story that begins with a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and involves a boy who survives along with the title painting, the acclaimed audiobook lets you take Donna Tartt’s crystalline prose and intricate storytelling on the go. Winner of Audie Awards for Solo Narration—Male and Literary Fiction, The Goldfinch is narrated by actor David Pittu.
Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Romance
For fans of: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune and Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks
Is summer even summer without an Elin Hilderbrand book? In her 2021 novel Golden Girl, Nantucket author Vivian Howe is killed in a hit-and-run accident while out jogging. In the afterlife, Vivi is assigned to another woman, Martha, who allows her to watch over her loved ones for one last summer. She is also given three “nudges,” which she can use to help guide her three children as they begin to navigate life without her. But it’s hard for Vivi to find peace as she learns about the struggles her children have kept hidden from her and worries about one of her own hidden truths coming to light.
The Light of Days by Judy Batalion
Genre: Nonfiction
For fans of: The Women by Kristin Hannah and The Nine by Gwen Strauss
Looking for stories about some of the bravest women to have ever lived? Look no further than this powerful and enlightening tale of the Jewish women who became resistance fighters during World War II. Their stories haven’t been told often, but thanks to The Light of Days, which was written by the granddaughter of Polish Holocaust survivors, their bravery will live on. The audiobook, which is narrated by Carlotta Brentan, stands out as a way to listen and be transported to these deeply moving stories.
Educated by Tara Westover
Genre: Memoir
For fans of: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Tara Westover’s memoir was named one of the best of 2018 by the Washington Post, the New York Public Library, Time magazine and countless others. If you haven’t read Educated yet, now is a great time to listen to actress Julia Whelan recount one of the most moving memoirs about overcoming some of life’s biggest obstacles, all in the name of getting an education.
He’s Not My Type by Meghan Quinn
Genre: Romance
For fans of: Things We Left Behind by Lucy Score and Storms and Secrets by Claire Kingsley
Beenen highly recommends He’s Not My Type, a roommates-to-lovers, stand-alone sports story by prolific romance writer Meghan Quinn. “I’m a die-hard fan of Meghan Quinn and love her Vancouver Agitators series,” says Beenen. “I was ecstatic when He’s Not My Type was released, and not only was it a duet narration, but it also had a full cast. MQ always has me laughing out loud, but this audiobook had me in near tears. And don’t even get me started on the spicy scenes—prepare to blush because Halsey Holmes is a dirty talker.”
How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
Genre: Nonfiction
For fans of: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson and We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby
Need some humorous empowerment? Journalist, author and narrator Caitlin Moran provides that in spades with one of the funniest feminist books in recent memory. How to Be a Woman is an exploration of how far women have come, how much further there is to go and the seemingly endless “rules” for being a woman—and how to break them. The audiobook, which is narrated by Moran herself, offers a closer insight into the author’s signature sense of humor.
Real Americans by Rachel Khong
Genre: Fiction
For fans of: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and Little Gods by Meng Jin
This highly acclaimed 2024 novel was an instant New York Times bestseller and was selected as a Read with Jenna pick. Real Americans is a sweeping family drama that first introduces us to Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a New York City media company. At the company’s Y2K party, she meets Matthew. He’s carefree, attractive and heir to his family’s pharmaceutical empire. Lily and Matthew fall in love—and what ensues is a journey that uncovers long-buried secrets. The audiobook for Real Americans may be on the list of the best audiobooks of all time with its sweeping, multi-person narration that brings each character in this stunning intergenerational drama to life.
Uncharted: A Couple’s Empty-Nest Adventure Sailing from One Life to Another by Kim Brown Seely
Genre: Memoir
For fans of: Wild by Cheryl Strayed and Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World by Joan Druett
For fans of real-life adventures, 2019’s Uncharted tells the story of an empty-nester couple that sets off on a newly purchased sailboat to find the rare blonde Kermode bear in the Pacific Northwest.
“I have a few years before I join the empty-nesters-club, but after listening to Kim Brown Seely’s description of impulse-buying a sailboat (before knowing how to sail), then setting off into the wilderness in search of adventure and personal self-discovery, I began daydreaming about what my next great adventure might be and feeling less apprehensive about the next chapter of life,” says Barbara Basbanes Richter, founder of DIYBook. “This is a beautiful book by a talented travel writer that’s sure to inspire readers on an adventure of their own.”
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Genre: YA contemporary fiction
For fans of: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou and Dear Martin by Nic Stone
It’s hard to believe that The Hate U Give was released in 2017—it already feels like it’s deeply embedded in cultural and literary canon as one of the most important young adult novels ever written. Angie Thomas’s important debut novel tackles racism, injustice and activism and is now being taught in schools across the country.
Starr Carter is a 16-year-old Black student from a poor neighborhood who attends a predominantly White prep school. Although she normally feels out of place in her neighborhood, Starr attends a party where she runs into her childhood best friend, Khalil Harris. The party is cut short when gunshots are fired during a gang fight, and Khalil offers to drive Starr home. On the drive home, Khalil is pulled over and searched by a White police officer. When Khalil opens the door to check on Starr, the officer opens fire. Khalil’s death becomes a national headline, as protesters take to the streets to demand justice while others are determined to paint Khalil as a trouble-making thug.
The audiobook is narrated by Bahni Turpin, and while listening to The Hate U Give, you’ll find the story emotionally resonates in a way that is only possible through Turpin’s exemplary narration.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Genre: Memoir
For fans of: Finding Me by Viola Davis and Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
The former First Lady sold out stadiums for her book tour when she rolled out this memoir at the end of 2018. If you haven’t read (or listened to) it yet, now should be the time, as it’s one of the best memoirs and best books by Black authors. Michelle Obama narrates her own story, from growing up in Chicago to her time at Harvard Law School to her eight years as First Lady. On top of that, it’s one of the best audiobooks you could listen to: Becoming won the 2020 Grammy for Best Spoken World Album. Is there anything Michelle Obama can’t do?!
A Carnival of Snackery by David Sedaris
Genre: Memoir
For fans of: Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson and Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
Let’s get snarled in every kind of traffic delay while we listen to these seriously funny diary entries written and read by the deliciously subversive David Sedaris, author of some of the best LGBTQ+ books. He shares his commentary on everything from people-watching to politics, with a generous helping of dirty and dirtier jokes. Funny woman Tracy Ullman joins Sedaris in narrating 2021’s A Carnival of Snackery, an intriguing and often hilarious collection of anecdotes and observations.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical fiction
For fans of: The Book of Lost Names by Kristen Harmel and All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Author Kristin Hannah has written some of the best historical fiction books of all time, and now she has one of the best audiobooks as well. The Four Winds takes you to the Dust Bowl Era, one of the darkest periods during the Great Depression. It’s the 1930s, and Elsa Martinelli discovers the real meaning of love, family and survival. There’s a reason this 2021 novel was named a No. 1 bestseller by the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the New York Times. Brought to life by prolific audiobook narrator Julia Whelan, this story will make you feel as though you can taste the dust in this heart-wrenching saga.
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Genre: Mystery
For fans of: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield and We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
If you love mystery books, listen to 2004’s The Shadow of the Wind, a gripping historical entry set in 1945 Barcelona. When Daniel is 11 years old, his father, an antiquarian book dealer, initiates him into the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a secret library guarded by the city’s guild of rare-book dealers as a place for books forgotten by the world. Daniel falls in love with a book titled The Shadow of the Wind by an author named Julian Carax. When Daniel sets out to read other works by the long-dead Carax, he discovers that someone has been destroying them. But who? And why? This beautifully written (and narrated) story is filled with mystery and love, and serves as a reminder of how powerful books can truly be.
Afterlife by Julia Alvarez
Genre: Fiction
For fans of: Violeta by Isabel Allende and The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez
It had been almost 15 years since readers had been treated to a new novel for adults by Julia Alvarez, who has written some of the most significant books by Latinx authors, but it was worth the wait. In 2020’s Afterlife, Antonia Vega’s life is completely turned upside down when, after she retires from her job as an English professor, her husband dies, her sister disappears and an undocumented, pregnant teen shows up at her doorstep. For once, Antonia is unable to find solace in the literature she loves. Rather than fall apart, she is determined to keep her husband’s memory alive while navigating her relationship with her sisters and just trying to figure out what, exactly, we owe one another.
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
Genre: Fiction
For fans of: Tom Lake by Ann Patchett and The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
For the past two decades, Rocky has spent a week in a humble beach rental in Cape Cod with her family creating perfect cottage-core memories. This summer, Rocky is surrounded by her two 20-something children, dad-joke-loving husband and aging parents—all while balancing her own menopausal hot flashes and accompanying rage. Written in Catherine Newman’s signature laugh-out-loud humor while weaving hard-hitting relatability, 2024’s Sandwich is the perfect book to listen to while walking along the beach or driving to your summer vacation.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Genre: Dystopian fiction
For fans of: Animal Farm by George Orwell and Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Sex, drugs and a predetermined caste system rule in this disturbing yet relevant novel written in 1932. It’s set in the year 2450, when humans are grown in bottles and then conditioned to belong to one of the World State’s five castes. Mass media suppresses the possibility of any original thought. Art and religion no longer exist, and consumerism is king. If that sends chills up your spine, you’re not alone. Not only is Brave New World one of the most famously banned books, but it’s also one of the best science-fiction novels ever written, read here by acclaimed British actor Michael York.
The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Genre: YA fantasy
For fans of: A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin and Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
If you last picked up these considerably sized fantasy young adult novels—The Golden Compass, first published in 1996, and its two sequels—in high school, maybe it’s time to do so again, or listen with your own teens. The author is the narrator, with every character played by a different actor, making the audiobook “like watching a movie in your head,” says one user. And that’s saying something, considering the books were also turned into an HBO series with James McAvoy and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller
Genre: Fiction
For fans of: Miss Morgan’s Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles and The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons
Kirsten Miller, author of the genre-bending hit The Change, returns with a satirical small-town drama about a battle over banned books. Beverly Underwood is on a mission to preserve the banned books in small-town Troy, Georgia, while her archenemy, Lula Dean, is dead-set on eliminating all “pornographic” books from the town’s library. When Lula Dean opens a lending library with her carefully curated “appropriate books,” Beverly takes the dust jackets and replaces them with the banned books. What ensues is a hilarious, over-the-top, richly woven story with a lot of small-town charm. The audiobook, narrated by January LaVoy, adds even more punch to the rollicking fun of this 2024 novel.
The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson
Genre: True crime
For fans of: Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune by Anderson Cooper and The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan
If you think you know anything about Lizzie Borden, who went on trial for two grisly ax murders in 1892, think again. In 2019, author Cara Robertson released a true crime book that dives into more than 20 years of research and newly unearthed evidence into the crime that enthralled the world. This story, hailed by Publisher’s Weekly‘s starred review as the “definitive account to date of one of America’s most notorious and enduring murder mysteries,” allows the listener to act as judge to the infamous Lizzie Borden.
The Gods of the Woods by Liz Moore
Genre: Psychological thriller
For fans of: The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller and The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger
Liz Moore, author of the 2020 smash hit Long Bright River, returns four years later with her highly anticipated psychological suspense The God of the Woods. It’s 1975, and a teenager vanishes from a camp in the Adirondacks. But Barbara Van Laar isn’t just any 13-year-old girl; her family owns the camp, and her brother disappeared mysteriously 14 years ago. What ensues is a thrilling and dramatic story as the listener unravels the secrets of the Van Laar family. The audiobook, which is excellent, is narrated by Saskia Maarleveld and includes a downloadable map that brings the story to life even more.
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Genre: Business and leadership
For fans of: Atomic Habits by James Clear and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Want to make sure your business is in it for the long haul? Simon Sinek’s The Infinite Game, released in 2019, explains in detail the strategies that work to keep companies going strong for generations. It’s must-read (or must-listen) for every business owner, executive and leader. Plus, Sinek, who is world-renowned for his storytelling, narrates the book himself, using his signature narration style to keep you engaged and inspired.
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Genre: Historical fiction
For fans of: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell and The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
Lincoln in the Bardo is the first novel by acclaimed short story writer George Saunders. He narrates the audiobook with the help of 166 others—including big names such as Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore, Ben Stiller and Don Cheadle—in this 2018 winner of the Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year. It’s a groundbreaking work of historical fiction that explores a lesser-studied period of Honest Abe’s life during the first year of the Civil War, when Lincoln was also dealing with a far more personal tragedy: the death of his 11-year-old son, Willie. This experimental novel, which won the 2017 Man Booker Prize, takes place over the course of one evening in a space between life and death called the bardo, where ghosts contemplate their existence.
Finding Tamika by Erika Alexander, Kevin Hart, Charlamagne Tha God, Ben Arnon, Rebkah Howard, David Person and James T. Green
Genre: True crime
For fans of: The Fact of a Body by Alex Marzano-Lesnevich and Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
In 2004, 25-year-old Tamika Huston disappeared. Her case, like so many others involving people of color, received little to no media attention. Actress and narrator Erika Alexander teamed up with Kevin Hart, Charlamagne Tha God and a team of other talented people to produce this 2022 true crime Audible original in the hope of changing a system in which missing Black girls are largely ignored. In this powerful and important audiobook, readers will hear chilling details about Huston’s case, along with eerie, beyond-the-grave commentary from Tamika herself. This is one of the best true crime books, but it’s only available in audiobook form.
Additional reporting by Brianna Bell.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. For this piece on the best audiobooks, Marisa Hillman and Brianna Bell tapped their experience as longtime journalists to compile this curated list and ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Stephy George, founder of the Creative Muggle book blog
- Barbara Basbanes Richter, founder of DIYBook and In Ink Ghostwriting and host of the podcast Writing for Immortality
- Karie Fugett, author of the forthcoming memoir Alive Day
- Ashley Beenen, romance Booktoker at @ashpattreads and on Instagram
Originally Published: March 31, 2020
