Earlier this week I shared my favorite books of 2024 and today I’m sharing my favorite audiobooks. Please think of these as companion posts: each list holds twelve titles, with no duplications.
In 2024 I continued my trend of doing A LOT of reading with my ears, so when it came to picking favorites I had plenty options. And once I assembled my favorites in print and audio, I was so surprised at how different the two lists seem. Compared to my print favorites, my audio favorites feature a lot more backlist, a lot more genre fiction (historical, mystery, and romance, oh my!), and a much lower ranking on the likely-to-make-Anne-cry scale. I don’t have a theory to explain why that is, but I’m definitely seeing the difference.
I hope you enjoy perusing my roundup, and I would love to hear your favorite books and audiobooks of the year in the comments section.
All books featured here were chosen because I loooove them. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. More info here.
Love, Lists, and Fancy Ships
This was a walk-another-mile, fold-another-load DELIGHT. I wasn't sure about it at first, because the opening meet cute was a little much, but I settled in and thoroughly enjoyed this blend of women's fiction and romance. The story centers a nearly-30-year-old woman named Jo who was once excitedly completing a 30-by-30 list, but her plans got derailed by a family tragedy. Then her nieces unexpectedly show up for the summer and basically demand that she get back to work on her list. She gets started by kissing a stranger: she thinks she'll never see him again, but surprise! He's her new neighbor, AND her new coworker (soon to be dubbed "Hot Yacht Chef") aboard the luxury yacht where Jo works as a steward. With the help of her friends, family, and new love interest, Jo starts facing the pain of the past, and plotting a course for the future—including plans to knock out that bucket list. Narrated by Karissa Vacker. (Chaste.) 10 hrs 9 mins. More info →
Black Cake
I jumped into this 2022 release after reading and loving Wilkerson's forthcoming sophomore novel, set to publish in January 2025. I suspected it would be great on audio and my hunch (well, and all the gushing reviews) was correct. At once a family saga, a sibling story, and historical fiction surrounding a family secret, Black Cake introduces us to the Bennett family. When the matriarch Eleanor Bennett dies, her children inherit a strange legacy: a black cake made from an old family recipe and an audio recording in which Eleanor finally clues her children in to the identity-upending secrets she's been keeping for decades. I found this to be a good story, well, told, especially as narrated by Lynnette R. Freeman and Simone Mcintyre. 12 hrs 2 mins. More info →
When in Rome
This winter I found myself in need of an engaging, uplifting, and not-too-heavy listen for a solo road trip. I opted for the first book in Sarah Adams's When in Rome series; I read the second book Practice Makes Perfect last year but reading them out of order was no problem. This romance was the perfect book for the occasion: in it, famous pop star Rae Rose desperately needs a getaway and flees Nashville for Rome, Kentucky. She would go to Italy if she could, but since the setting for her favorite Audrey Hepburn movie is too far to be practical, she settles for the much nearer Rome that pops up in her GPS. Car trouble puts her in the path of Noah Walker, a gruff but handsome pie shop owner with a heart of gold. I enjoyed the small town charm, celebrity/commoner relationship, career details for music and pies, and Noah's deeply invested sisters. The book was the exact right length to carry me to my destination, and Karissa Vacker and Andrew Eiden's narration was perfection. After reading this, I feel like a re-watch of Roman Holiday is in order. 9 hrs 46 mins. More info →
The Woman on the Ledge
In the opening pages of this plotty thriller a woman falls to her death from a London skyscraper. Another woman on the scene is arrested for her murder. As readers, we're convinced the suspect must be innocent. And yet as the investigation proceeds, it becomes clear to the detective on the case—and to us as readers—that she's hiding something. She seems to be protecting someone, but we don't know who, or why. As the story progresses and the timeline expands, we slowly come to understand what really happened, and more importantly, why. Thanks to Fabled book buyer Elizabeth Barnhill for putting this on my radar: when she told me last winter it was a recent favorite, I couldn't resist giving it a try. It was terrific on audio, as narrated by Annabel Scholey. 9 hrs 54 mins. More info →
Sipsworth
This gentle and touching story captured my heart and my imagination, as it has for countless readers since its May 2024 publication. If you enjoy books with seasoned protagonists, give this one a close look. Eighty-three-year-old Helen Cartwright moves back to her English village hometown after sixty years in Australia. Her husband and adult son have both died and she doesn’t feel the need to seek out new friends. The quiet solitude is enough as she lives out the remainder of her life. When she finds and rescues an abandoned pet mouse whom she names Sipsworth, she has no idea just how much her life is about to change. A moving exploration of grief, loneliness, community, and second chances. Narrated by Christine Rendel. 5 hrs 10 mins. More info →
The Briar Club
I just happened to listen to Quinn's 2019 historical thriller The Huntress on audio, and enjoyed Saskia Maarleveld's narration so much that ever since then I've made it a point to listen to Quinn's works. This July 2024 release is set during the McCarthy era in 1950 Washington, DC, and takes place almost entirely in the Briarwood House, a women's boardinghouse run by a parsimonious landlord. The structure is interesting: we hear from each of the house's residents in turn, but just once, and learn of her dreams, disappointments, and the secrets she's keeping from her housemates. But the house has its own opinions on what unfolds within its walls: we hear from the house itself repeatedly throughout the story, beginning in the opening chapter when it tells us two people have been murdered there. Beautifully constructed and highly entertaining, I definitely folded extra laundry so I could find out what happens next. Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld; don't miss her conversation with Kate Quinn at the end. 15 hrs 3 mins. More info →
Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir
Ina Garten’s much-anticipated memoir was certainly on my radar but wasn’t necessarily a priority read. But then I found myself in need of a new audiobook on October 1, the memoir’s actual release day. I downloaded the audiobook on a whim and couldn’t stop listening to Ina narrate her own story. I listened to much of it in the car on a rather stressful solo road trip, and found Ina to be the perfect traveling companion: chatty, engaging, and soothing all at once. Maybe you should take my words with a grain of salt because I’m by no means a superfan: I have a few Ina Garten cookbooks, I’ve had good luck with her recipes, I’ve seen a few snippets of her tv show while vacationing someplace with all the channels. I’m not a student of Everything Ina—but golly I loved this memoir in which she covers her early life, relationship with Jeffrey, Barefoot Contessa origins and growth, musings on what makes a recipe sing, her Paris apartment, and more. 8 hrs 47 mins. More info →
Weyward
This layered story weaves together the narratives of three different women in the same family, over a timeline that spans five centuries. In the 1600s Altha is accused of being a witch for her knowledge of natural remedies and the healing arts. In the 1940s Violet is coming of age during WWII in a home where men are all-powerful and women are feared, though her own mother is absent, having died mysteriously when she was young. And in 2019 Kate is a young professional in London who is feeling increasingly isolated and imperiled due to her increasingly disturbing relationship with her boyfriend. Though living in different eras and facing different circumstances, Hart shows us how these women are fundamentally alike and share a deep spiritual connection that will ultimately save them. This was wonderful on audio, as read by Aysha Kala, Helen Keeley, and Nell Barlow. I'm happy to share this is our January 2025 MMD Book Club selection! 10 hrs 51 mins. More info →
A Song to Drown Rivers
I'm not a huge fantasy reader but I folded so much laundry so I could keep listening to this book! Liang based her plotty, romantically-laced historical fantasy on the ancient legend of Xishi, one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. Xishi’s beauty is renowned throughout the land, but when the king’s military advisor discovers she is brave as well as beautiful, she is recruited to use that beauty as a weapon in service of her people. Driven by her sense of duty, she consents, agreeing to spy on the enemy kingdom of Wu by becoming their reviled king’s concubine: her job is to make the man she loathes fall in love with her. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next, and was also impressed by Liang's thoughtful examination of the complexities of womanhood, the horrors of war, the obstacles to love, and even the nature of fame. I wish we could all talk about that ending! Narrated by Natalie Naudus. 10 hrs 22 mins. More info →
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon
Holy smokes, this might be the scariest book I read all year! In this nonfiction adventure-slash-history, Fedarko and his long-time photojournalist pal Pete McBride celebrate the National Park Service centennial by embarking on a 750-mile end-to-end traverse—described by many as “the toughest hike in the world”—across Grand Canyon National Park, which Fedarko calls both the most visited and least understood park. During their year in the canyon they come face to face with the grandeur and terror of their landscape: it gets so hot the glue on their shoes melts, then so cold their boots freeze solid overnight, and the pair endure more than one (absolutely terrifying and often nauseating) near-death experience. Along the way we meet the very few intrepid explorers who know the canyons best as well as the native peoples who've known it longest. Fedarko narrates his own audiobook: it took me a few chapters to get used to his style but once I did I really enjoyed it. 14 hrs 40 mins. More info →
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent
I would not have enjoyed this nearly as much eighteen months ago, but last fall I took an acting class that focused on a sampling of well-known scenes from Shakespeare plays that showed romantic relationships at pivotal moments. To my great surprise, in this conversational nonfiction work Judi Dench (as voiced by Barbara Flynn, in narration so spot-on I thought it was Dench) and her friend and fellow actor Brendan O'Hea discussed nearly every single one of them—and so I was familiar with the material and ready to hear from Dame Judi about her astounding seven decades in the theater, a span in which Shakespearean performances have featured prominently. Audio felt perfect for this work because it is in fact a series of conversations; the print book is a transcription of those talks. Judi and Brendan are warm and funny and wise: I found them to be good company, interesting and soothing, when I was road tripping alone this fall. 12 hrs 5 mins. More info →
Colored Television
I tried this several times in print and it just didn't stick but once I switched to audio I breezed right through it! This darkly comic satire is about a Los Angeles-based novelist who is tired of pouring herself into her work only to barely make ends meet, because L.A. is expensive—especially with two kids—and novel writing just doesn't pay. She decides she wants to "sell out" like her friend Brett and become a screenwriter, with its predictable hours and paychecks delivered like clockwork. But one tiny lie leads to another bigger one, and it's only a matter of time before the precarious house of cards comes crashing down. This was smart, funny, and packed with insider-y publishing mischief. Fun fact I learned this fall: Senza is married to novelist Percival Everett, and she draws on her own life experience in sooo many ways in this (fictional) story. Narrated by Kristen Ariza. 10 hrs 14 mins. More info →
What were your favorite audiobooks of 2024?
P.S. My favorite audiobooks of 2023, my favorite audiobooks of 2022, my favorite audiobooks and listening experiences of 2021, my favorite listening experiences of 2020, and my favorite audiobooks of 2019. New to audiobooks? Try these 7 ways to discover your audiobook style, and browse our complete audiobook archives here.
40 comments
Rob Bell’s Where’d You Park Your Spaceship series. I could listen to him talk all day.
I am listening to a book titled: The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck, it has a full cast of actors. It’s really well done and the first voice actor for the first story is phenomenal! Strongly recommend
That was amazing! It will be on my favorites of 2024 list!
100% agree!!
Dominic Hoffman’s narration of Percival Everett’s ‘James’ was perfection.
Yes, James was amazing! The audiobook added a dimension to the story that wasn’t there if I simply read it.
Dominic Hoffman’s narration of Percival Everett’s ‘James’ was perfection.
P.S. I, too, loved the audiobook version of Judi Dench’s book about her journey through Shakespeare. In all fairness to Barbara Flynn, though, it’s she who narrates the book (although she sounds remarkably like Dench!).
Clara, I totally missed that! Thanks for the note: I’ll update my blurb now to credit Flynn.
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle was my favorite audiobook this year and a close second was the Marlowe Murder Mystery series.
The Rivers of London Series by Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith is always on my list. It may actually be the entire list! By the time I’ve listened to all nine books, I’m ready to start over again!
I’m currently listening to Tim Pigott-Smith’s narration of Alfred Lansing’s “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” and am entranced.
I listened to Endurance twice this year. Once alone and once with my sons on long trips to/from college. I recommend The Wager on audio for another astonishing historical non-fiction shipwreck tale.
I read The Wager last year. Wow! So good.
THIS is a great story with an amazing ending. Highly recommend!
I agree. It was wonderful and one book I keep recommending to all my friends!
Great List Anne. I really enjoyed Colored Television (I combined print and audio here). My favorite audiobook was “The Great Passion” by James Runcie (also wrote the Grantchester series). This is a story about a young teen who encounters the J. S. Bach family and creates a fabulous sense of time and place and the world of music. It’s just expertly performed by the narrator.
Of the many I have listened to, these are my favourites:
Voyage of the Damned/Frances White. (a fantasy mystery with great banter)
What Does It Feel Like/Sophie Kinsella ( a fictionalized version of Kinsella’s medical struggles. A short but very powerful listen)
Nora Goes off Script/ Annabel Monaghan (a great palate cleanser)
I listened to Long Island by Colm Toibin and read by Jessie Buckley. I cannot shut up about this audiobook. The story itself is great (sequel to Brooklyn), but the reading of it was fabulous. 10/10. Highly recommend.
From Here to the Great Unknown! Such a great listen!
I commented on Anne’s other best-of list for the year that our tastes have diverged in recent years. I stand corrected – THIS list is perfect for me! I guess this makes sense, since most of my reading(listening) is audio! Many I’ve read and agree are wonderful, many I’m exicted to add to my Libby queue.
A favorite of mine this year that I haven’t seen mentioned much is Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone, and the sequel Everyone on This Train is a Suspect. I’m a sucker for an Australian accent and this narrator is fantastic.
I didn’t listen to many more than 12 audio books this year, but I did listen to PROJECT HAIL MARY, after reading the book last year, and wow, it’s the most AWESOME! Loved both. Other audiobooks I’d already read in print were COMMONWEALTH and TOM LAKE (both superb), and for the first time, THE SWAN THIEVES, THE HUSBANDS (charming accent), 44 SCOTLAND STREET (ditto the accents), and right now: (excellent!) JUST MERCY, read by the author.
The Wedding People by Alison Espach was amazing in every way, and I really enjoyed How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang. Both were narrated well and the stories were engaging and thoughtfully constructed. Thank you for the suggestions!
All Fours by/read by Miranda July And Ina as well!
The two audio standouts for me this year were The Women by Kristen Hannah and All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. Both were just excellent!
Sipsworth was fabulous! I would put James as a top audiobook this year.
I just finished Colored Television on audio, and cosign its inclusion here! Other audio highlights from 2024 include —
Fiction — Martyr!, Margo’s Got Money Troubles (Dakota Fanning narrates)
Non-fiction — Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV (likely even better for a reality TV fan, which I am not), and All That Glitters and The Art Thief (as part of a “bloodless crime” reading theme)
What a fantastic list! The Judi Dench book is so intriguing, and I have been waffling back and forth about reading Briar Club in print or listening to the audio. Knowing that Saskia Maarleveld is the narrator is definitely tipping the scales in favor of the audiobook…. Also adding A Song to Drown Rivers to my audiobook list.
I also loved Sipsworth on audio. My favorite audiobooks this year were Sipsworth (wish there had been at least one chapter narrated by Sipsworth himself!), Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel (this was a re-read for my Book Club and the full audio cast is marvelous), the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman (currently on the third book) and Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which was also a re-read for book club. Happy Reading!
Just finished Briar Club on audio. It was fantastic!!
Thanks for sharing Anne! Like you, I’ve found myself listening to genre favourites. Including, unexpectedly, memoir: in the past, this has been a genre I preferred to read as text.
— Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein* (read by author [memoir/politics]
— Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll* (read by Sutton Foster, Imani Jade Powers and cast) [historical thriller]
— I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This (But I’m Going to Anyway) by Chelsea Devantez (read by author) [memoir]
— Dead Fall (Cassie Raven #4) by A.K. Turner (read by Ellie Kendrick) [British crime thriller]
— The Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan Lieu (read by author) [memoir]
* These titles also belong on my overall top five favourite books of 2024.
I also listened to Black Cake this year and really loved it. (I just wish there had been a recipe for the eponymous dessert!)
I’m Canadian and maybe I’m biased but some of my favourite audiobook listens this year have been by Canadian writers:
The Theory of Crows by David Robertson: Robertson has to be one of the most prolific Indigenous writers of the 21st century with both YA and adult titles. This is one of his adult books about an Indigenous man heading to the area where his father grew up after his father died. He’s accompanied by his daughter and so he’s working on that relationship while also grieving for his father.
Another favourite was Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice. It’s a follow-up to Moon of the Crusted Snow, both taking place after an apocalyptic failing of modern technology. In this book the Indigenous group from the first book strikes out from their northern refuge to see what is left of other communities.
Two other favourites were The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, an epic family tale set in India, and The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson, about the development of the CRISPR technology.
The Remains of the Day by Kazuhiro Ishiguro, narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith.
I listened to the Briar Club and I’m now going to specifically seek out books narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. She did such an amazing job with this book and I think she added SO MUCH to it.
Listen to the Lie by Amy Tintera on audio was also . It blended podcasting w/ a traditional novel and I loved it so much.
There was a little Easter Egg in Briar Club, for those who also read The Huntress. Fun little thread between the books.
Yes, that WAS a fun Easter Egg to find while reading that book.
I loved Kevin Fedarko’s book as well! I head read ‘The Emerald Mile’ but it was way more interesting to listen to him narrate his own story. Also loved ‘Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone’ and ‘Grace’ by Cody Keenan.
I just finished listening to Demon Copperhead today, which was fantastic on audio! Demon Copperhead and The Sun Does Shine were my top 2 audio books this year.
That was one book I wished I had DNF – proof that great reads are in the eye of the beholder! 😀
I am currently listening to The Lion Women of Tehran. It is fascinating, historical fiction at its best, extremely emotional and wonderfully narrated. It is one of the best books I’ve ever listened to.
I really enjoyed listening to “Going Zero” and “The Incredible Winston Browne” on audio this year!
My top listens for 2024 were:
The Count of Monte Cristo (LOVED it – why did I wait so long to read it!)
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
The Women by Kristin Hannah
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
I have a long list ready for 2025 – thanks for all your suggestions!
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