Because so many readers are always on the hunt for not just good reads but good listens, I thought it would be fun to share an assortment of what I’ve been enjoying lately in that format.
When it comes to a great listening experience, I’m looking for a great story, well told. I generally prefer fiction and memoir on audio, but I’m willing to take a chance on other genres. In this format I especially appreciate lush descriptions and atmospheric settings, and a fast-moving plot is a plus (though not a requirement) in this format.
I hope this assortment introduces you to your next audiobook read. You know I’d love to hear YOUR favorites in comments!
6 recent audiobook listening experiences I recommend
Some links (including all Amazon links) are affiliate links. More details here.
The Book of Delights: Essays
Oh William!: A Novel
A Ghost in the Throat
One Italian Summer
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet
The Other Side of the Bridge
What have you been listening to lately? Fill up our audiobook TBR lists in the comments.
P.S. 7 Ways To Discover Your Audiobook Style, 15 super short audiobooks you can finish in four hours or less, and 15 of your favorite narrators, plus 35 books they narrate.
91 comments
I absolutely adored THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY on audio. Amor Towles is a brilliant writer on paper, but on audio his prose is just stunning. I will listen to it again someday and I hardly ever do that.
Does anyone know if this book has footnotes like Gentleman in Moscow? If not, I would love to do it on audio!
I love his writing but have never listened. Thanks for the hot tip!
Oh my goodness, you haven’t READ A Gentleman in Moscow if you haven’t LISTENED to it!!!
I second A Gentleman in Moscow on audio! Such a good listen!!
I second Lincoln Highway on audio.
Ditto. I’m all but finished it, and would highly recommend it. Great characters and an interesting plot. This, from a mystery/sci fi reader.
Anne, through what source do you get your audio books? Audible? Kindle? Prime? All of them? I’ve had a hard time listening to books, but I feel like I am missing out on ‘reading’ books I’d never get to.
I do most of mine through Libro.fm and Libby (through my library).
I am a Libro.fm and Libby listener too! (alliteration-yay!)
Not Anne, but have you checked your local library? Mine has great audiobooks that I can listen to for free on the Libby App.
In addition to Audible and my local library, I also listen to books through Hoopla. I believe your local library has to be a participant but the collection is astounding.
Jill, our library also has hoopla and Libby, and between the two I typically find what I’m looking for! 🙂
I listened to Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. My first Vorkosigan book — a series I’ve heard about for years and FINALLY it was the right time. I am completely, irrationally in love with the characters. The narration by Grover Gardner is fantastic!
Doesn’t it feel great to start—and enjoy—a book you’ve been meaning to read for years? I’m so glad you’re loving it!
Thank you so much for introducing me to a new series. My library has them all on audio! I am super excited after reading the summary of the first in the Vorkosigan series.
She’s amazing, though I haven’t listened to them!
I just finished the entire Vorkosigan Saga, mostly on audio! It’s fantastic. It has been described to me as a long running Military Space Opera series and I went “eh” even though I read primarily Sci Fi. THEN I submitted a question to Alix Harrow for the Ten Thousand Doors of January book club asking her to explain some of the more obscure “doors”, and she talked about Barrayar from the Vorkosigan Saga, and how she rereads it every year because it’s so wonderful, and has such interesting themes of motherhood in Cordelia Naismith. That got my attention! Themes of motherhood in a space opera!?!? I loved the whole wild ride. Gardner Grover does an awesome job with the narration, and most of the books are INCLUDED with an Audible Plus membership! Don’t skip the short stories, especially The Mountains of Mourning. That one won a Hugo, for good reason – and it’s referenced many times later in the main series. I went back and re-read Shards of Honor as soon as I finished the series, because the last book revisits so many things from the first book. It’s amazing.
Oh and Bujold is a big fan of Georgette Heyer, and it’s fun to see the Regency Romance peeking through in some of her Vorkosigan books.
I recently listened to Sarah Ruhl’s book, Smile: The Story of a Face, which she narrates herself. It’s a memoir about her journey with Bell’s palsy, which partially paralyzed her face. I love her writing, and while I don’t always like authors reading their own work, she does a trememdous job. It’s thoughtful, nuanced, funny, and very moving.
I’ve heard great things about this book, yet didn’t realize she narrated it herself! Thanks for sharing here.
Completely agree with this. I loved this book. It’s much more compelling than the publisher copy indicates and Sarah Ruhl’s narration was great.
I’m currently listening to Richard Armitage read The Tattooist of Auschwitz. He is such a fabulous narrator, even though this is a completely terrible (but necessary, I feel) topic to read about. He’s also narrated some Georgette Heyer books if you need something not quite so heavy right now. All of these are available on Hoopla, through my library.
He’s such a fabulous narrator! I really enjoyed his reading of The Jane Austen Society.
I was looking for The Grapes of Wrath narrated by Richard Armitage recently but no luck.
Wait. Richard Armitage narrated some Georgette Heyer??? You may have just changed my life.
My recent audiobooks:
– Northanger Abbey
– Little Dorrit
– The Thief, by Fuminori Nakamura
– Here We are, by Graham Swift
– The Gates of Europe, by Serhii Plokhy
– Witness to Hope, by George Weigel
– Stranger in a Strange Land, Robert Heinlein
Yes, The Anthropecene Reviewed read by Green was so, so wonderful! Other recent excellent audiobooks for me:
The Choice by Edith Eger (foreword narrated by the author).
A Place to Hang the Moon (middle grade and great for adults too).
Stories I Only Tell My Friends (Rob Lowe’s memoir).
I surprised myself with how much I loved that Rob Lowe memoir on audio!
One Italian Summer—SO good!! The writing + the story+ Lauren Graham= transporting. I felt like I took a trip to the Amalfi coast with this.
Hi Anne,
Thank you for your all time inspiring recommendations! My latest favorite listen was the Dictionary of Lost Words. The narrator (Pippa Bennett-Warner) took me back in time to England and I loved it.
Well, I loved OH WILLIAM!(on your recommendation), so off to request the rest of these. Thanks!
I just started listening to “How to be Perfect” by Michael Schur, the creator of ‘The Good Place.’ It is SO FUNNY, but I think it might be because of the narration – I’m not sure it would be nearly as funny as words on a page. Tone helps so much!
I was coming here to recommend this one!! Already listened to it twice. And yes, I agree the audio is what really bumps it to 5 stars!
I feel like almost all my books are on audio this year. I seem to be doing more listening than eye-reading! Favorite so far is My Lady Jane. I also listened to My Plain Jane, which I enjoyed but I loved My Lady Jane. And the narrator was so great. I really feel this is best listened to just for the way, she does the asides and how well she reads it. I also finished Magpie Murders last night and thought that audio was terrific! Top book of the year so far – Once Upon a Wardrobe. So lovely and a great narration.
I get all my audio books from my library on Libby, by the way. I do have a Libro.fm account and have a few there to be read, but the library “forces” me to read now since there is a deadline which I usually beat by 14 days since I listen as much as possible.
I agree. My Lady Jane was great! I looked up the narrator, Katherine Kellgren, and was so sad to learn that she passed away.
I am really finding so much joy in audiobooks over the past few months. I also really enjoyed The Anthropocene Reviewed and am currently listening to Shrill written and narrated by Lindy West. I love having authors read their work – particularaly memoirs. Other recent listens and loves include Project Hail Mary and The Dutch House. This format has been such a life saver as I return to working in the office and have a commute again!
After reading and listening to two very dark, disturbing books, and with a 5 hour plane journey in a few days, I’ve been looking for a lighter, happier audiobook to listen to. This is the second time you’ve recommended One Italian Summer, and I adore Lauren Graham, so I just purchased it on Libro.fm. I think it’s exactly what I’m looking for.
One of my absolute favorite audiobooks over the past year+ was Stanley Tucci’s Taste, read by him.
Ditto for Taste. It was delightful
I just finished A Year Of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. The narration was so divine and captured the tone of the book so well. I loved it so much and the writing was so good. I highly recommend!!
I just finished listening to A ghost in the Throat and I am still reeling from it. When people ask me about it I can’t convey how dramatic and startling the audio was. I really would love to hear a discussion of it.This book was nothing like any other work I’ve ever read or listened to
It’s really wonderful. I loved how she describes motherhood. It reminds me a bit of H is for Hawk- part memoir, part biography, part obsession.
M is for Milk!
Would The Anthropecene Reviewed be appropriate to listen to on a family road trip? My littlest is 8. For reference, we all listened to The Martian together (lots of f-bombs) and loved it, so know that we have a reasonable language tolerance. Thanks!
Would The Anthropocene Reviewed be appropriate for an 11 and 13 year old to listen along with me during commutes? We learned of this book when it was reviewed by one of your staffers on an episode of your podcast. My 11 year old keeps asking me when I’m going to get it.
I still can’t get over Devolution by Max Brooks… it plays like a podcast. In fact, I wish more audiobooks were like that one! I struggle if audiobooks are too monotone, and this one was definitely it a struggle for me to get through!
My recent Audio listens:
West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge*** EXCELLENT on audio
Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O’Farrell–good narration, disappointing ending
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion, (just ok)
When I look at what I’ve been reading I see so many audiobooks I enjoyed so that makes me want to focus on the ones where the audio experience and the book were together uncomparable which takes me back to Toni Morrison. The Bluest Eye was wonderful and actually read by the author herself and Recitatif which was read by Zadie Smith. I’m going to re-read Recitatif in print eventually because I think that will enhance the impact of the short novel BUT you have to listen to the audio for Zadie Smith’s Introduction which is fabulous.
So grateful for all these recommendations. I also love memoirs read by their writers and one not already mentioned above is Brandi Carlile’s Wild Horses. Not only does she read her words but also sings her beautiful songs. But I’m really writing to recommend The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, read by Lesley Manville. She is absolutely incredible, one of the best narrators ever (she may even surpass Jim Dale and the Harry Potter books). The book is already delightful and LM makes it perfect!
I have been trying to get The Thursday Murder Club on audio CD for my mother (the only format she can handle, she’s 84) thru my local library and interlibrary loan, and so far, no go. So we both read the book, which was awesome, but I’m glad to know the audio version was great, too! I would love to hear it.
Suzy…Perhaps you might want to check into audio books for people with low vision. It’s an easy system, funded by the Library of Congress, and implemented by our local libraries. Thousands of choices, simple to operate machine (sent at no charge), no time limit on books. Your or her local library should be able to set you up. It was a godsend for my mother (all free). Best of luck.
I just finished Pam Munoz Ryan’s Echo on audio with my 11 year old. It is ***** for adults and tweens alike and the audio format can’t be beat so you can actually hear the harmonica which is a character in its own right. If you need a tender story and enjoy historical fiction, I found this to be a diverse and different perspective on how different children experienced the world as WWII unfolded and how music is a lifeline.
This is one of my favorite audiobooks ever.
Echo is an AMAZING audiobook! I tell anyone who will listen to listen to it.
Boys in the Boat — My husband and I listened on a long driving trip and we both loved it. The narrator is fabulous. It’s nonfiction but the story feels like fiction. A rowing team prepares for the Olympics to be held in Hitler’s Germany. Many working as one is a lesson for us all.
I recently loved both Black Cake & The Light Of The World on audio (I can’t imagine what I might have missed reading either in print), & currently am listening to The Anthropocene Reviewed as well as taking on The Secret History by Donna Tartt (a goal I’ve had ever since reading The Goldfinch, one of my Top Ten Books of all time–if you count ALL the Harry Potter books as ONE, lol).
Yes…I just finished Black Cake today on audio. There were a lot of characters to keep up with which was challenging on audio but the narrators brought so much to the reading experience with their true to life Caribbean accents. I was impressed with this debut!
I love these kind of posts Anne because it helps me reshuffle my TBR and determine format…a good audio narration with the right book truly enhances my reading life : ) I have recently enjoyed Island Queen by Vanessa Riley(a historical Caribbean story based on the real life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas that takes you right to the place and the time with the awesome narrators) and The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson(narrated by the author with the perfect southern drawl and recommended by you!)
So many books…so little time but audio definitely helps me get more reading in!
I thoroughly enjoyed Convenience Store Woman on audio. The story was amazing and the narration made the listen all the more wonderful. Short yet intriguing, this is one of my best listens of the year so far. You’re welcome.
I haven’t listened to a book in months (tend to do that more in the summer when I’m outside walking for long periods of time) but I’m currently listening to a Star Wars novel. I’ve read so many of them, but this is a whole other experience because it’s almost more like a radio drama — music and sound effects included. It’s been a lot of fun!
Some favorite recent listens:
The Lord of the Rings trilogy read by Andy Serkis; Once Upon a River read by Juliet Stevenson; The Lost Spells read by a cast that includes one of my favorite singers, Julie Fowlis; Virgil Wander read by MacLeod Andrews; and Hamnet read by Ell Potter.
I do about 90% of my reading on audio. Lately I struggle to sit still while reading, so I only read print in bed, and I take a long walk every day to get in some good listening time. A few audiobooks that have floated to the top recently for being particularly good on audio are Deacon King Kong, The Lincoln Highway, My Lady Jane*, Crying in H Mart, and Greenlights (Matthew McConaughey)*.
* I would tell anyone who was interested in one of these two books to get the audio even if they don’t usually listen to audio!
The Murderbot Series is great on audio and my library has it on Hoopla.
I just finished S.A. Crosby’s Razorblade Tears read by Adam Lazarre-White. Gritty vengeance dramas aren’t my usual thing, but this one was shatteringly good and I may have had to hold back tears several times.
I read this and couldn’t agree more on both accounts!
My husband and I just finished listening to Sleeping Giants, by Sylvain Neuvel, on a road trip and loved it! I’m not sure if I would’ve enjoyed the print version as much as the narrators helped me follow the story line/interviews/characters. And, oh! Did they make us laugh out loud! An extremely well-crafted novel!!
I recently listened to this book as well. I agree it was well-crafted but I have to say the parts that stick with me are the instances of unexpected violence. The epilogue just blew my mind.
Our book club just listened to “Writers and Lovers” by Lily King. Delightful snapshot of the creative process, from the voice of a writer/waitress as she struggles with her novel. We read this in tandem with Sally Rooney’s “Beautiful World Where Are You” which I read (but others said the audio was excellent) which was a good alternate view of the 20-something struggles/writing life and sparked lots of discussion. Also excited to see that Writers and Lovers will be made into a film – Toni Colette’s directorial debut.
I just finished Anne Tyler’s latest, French Braid, on audio. Like Oh William!, it’s narrated by Kimberly Farr, who is my favorite reader. (I think she is so perfect for the quiet, slice-of-life writers like Strout, Tyler, and Alice Munro.)
I’m enjoying Tell Everyone on This Train I Love Them, by Maeve Higgins. A witty, moving, collection of essays written and narrated by the Irish comedian. Topics include the political injustices of America, mental health, pop culture, and seeing light in the darkness. Beautifully read and wisely presented.
‘The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music’ by Dave Grohl is SO good especially if you grew up listening to Nirvana & Foo Fighters like me.
His mom’s book ‘From Cradle to Stage’ (Virginia Hanlon Grohl) is also fun. In it she tells the stories of other famous musician’s mothers.
The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch, if you like English police dramas & a little bit of magic
Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire, portal fantasy that’s addresses being a teen and the issues of identity and belonging that go along with it.
Everland series by Wendy Spinale, it’s a kind of steampunk dystopia take on Peter Pan
I think my favourite listen so far this year is The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. Erdrich does the narration herself which just blows my mind because she writes a book a year and has a book store in Minneapolis too. How does she find the time? But I really enjoyed listening to her voice and I loved the story about an indigenous elder who fought the government and won. The book is based on the life of Louise’s grandfather.
The Guncle is priceless on audio!!
I know I’m late to the party on this book, but I’ve recently started listening to ‘Becoming’, which is read by Michelle Obama. It’s been wonderful. It’s also renewed something I’ve been thinking about recently: what makes some people’s voices so distinctive to the ear? her’s is one that I can pick out easily , and that I enjoy.
I loved Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese, read by Tom Stechschulte. It’s a father/son story that really deep dives into alcoholism, so heads up on that. It would be unbearable if not for Wagamese having been a redemptive writer, not interested in leaving you off in the deep end of despair, he takes you all the way through his themes. I thought the narrator did a terrific job.
Also, I find that Kazuo Ishiguro’s books translate very well onto audio.
I borrowed The Joy and Light Bus Company by Andrew McCall Smith on a whim and it was a total delight. My first foray into the series but not my last.
Alexander, not Andrew. 🙂
He’s a terrific writer and Precious Ramotswe is a truly marvelous creation of his.
After finishing Tom Hanks’ perfect narration of The Dutch House, I moved on to Be Frank With Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson. This one has been on my TBR since Anne recommended it in a much earlier episode of WSIRN. Narration by Tavia Gilbert is very good – especially the voice of 10-year-old Frank.
Two commenters named Deirdre, that never happens!
I use my library’s audio app, Axis360, for what I consider the height of luxury: having both the physical copy — for when I’m at home with a cup of tea, and the audio for when I’m in the car or at the kitchen sink.
I enjoyed The Great Believers on audio last month, but in general, I prefer nonfiction, essays or memoirs on audio more, and when it isn’t fiction, I prefer the author’s voice. Stanley Tucci’s Taste and Ann Patchett’s These Precious Days were two of my recent favorites.
I LOVED Oh William, and read it in one afternoon (not on audio) and loved hearing the good news of another book in the works, thanks!
Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel. So, so, so, so good on audio! The books are read by the actor, Ben Miles, who played Thomas Cromwell in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage adaptations of the books. I was utterly immersed in Tudor England, with al of the author’s lovely and unique imagery. I found myself rooting for Thomas Cromwell, although he is often considered the villain in most versions of Henry VIII’s history. I want to read/listen to the final in the trilogy, The Mirror and the Light, but I know it will end badly for Cromwell, so I almost hate to read it! Highly, highly recommend!
I loved listening to Saving CeeCee Honeycutt narrated by Jenna Lamia. I laughed out loud while listening and for a long while I picked audio books that were read by Jenna. I love her voice that much. Ha
I did not know any of that about John Green. I often show his Crash Course videos in my high school English classes. They are incredibly informative AND funny. I will definitely be looking for this audiobook to check out!
I finished listening to The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare and narrated by Anjoa Andoh and it was the best I’ve ever listened to. I’ve never listened to someone who could create such distinct characters. The added benefit was the narrator’s ability to make the place (Nigeria) come alive with her inflections, accent, pauses – just a steller listen! Warning – there could be triggers due to the nature of the story.
Heidi….Totally agree with you on TGWTLV and the benefit of an amazing narrator Anjoa Andoh…FYI:
I just finished Island Queen by Vanessa Riley which Anjoa also narrates. Highly recommend!
So happy to see “Book of Delights” on top of your list. Ross Gay is a true delight and as a poet, him reading his own work, with the inflection and humor, is the best. I have the hardcopy on my nightstand when I need a before-sleep treasure. He also inspired me to start a Journal of Delights last year which I have kept up. Just a bullet journal of daily delights from bird sightings to muses on getting 6+ hours of sleep.
I listened to ‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ on audio and loved it. Could not stop listening, to the great annoyance of the people around me, who I ignored for almost two days.
At the recommendation of Anne a while ago, I also listened to The Anthropocene Reviewed as well and this was another big success on audio.
Next on my list is Project Hail Mary, although it has mixed reviews…
I followed all the advice on Goodreads and listened to Anuk Arudpragasam’s Booker shortlisted “A Passage North” rather than read it. Excellent performance by Neil Shah of a book which would be difficult to read as it has long, stream of consciousness type sentences and no dialogue whatsoever.
A marvelous book that will remain with you for long afterwards, I recommend it highly. It does talk extensively about the Sri Lankan civil war, and I for one was embarrassed at how little I knew about it despite living in India when former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber.
Earlier this year, I listened to Billy Summers and In Five Years. I enjoyed both of them. In Five Years is read by Megan Hilty and her speaking voice is wonderful to listen to. I am looking for a new “listen” now and enjoy all these recommendations!
Does anyone know if this book has footnotes like Gentleman in Texas? If not, I would love to do it on audio!
Just listened to Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson. It’s narrated by a cast including Chelsea Ballerini and Dolly herself! Like a radio play…great!
The Girl with the Louding Voice was my favorite audiobook! It takes a minute to get used to the accent, but it’s such a great book!