This post was originally published in June 2021. It has been updated with the 10 best audiobooks I’ve listened to.
Did you know that June is audiobook month? It’s time to celebrate one of my favorite formats of reading because these audiobooks deserve more praise!
I’ll never stop listening to audiobooks. In fact, I sometimes listen to audiobooks more than I read physical books, just because they’re so much easier to utilize while I’m working. You’ll always find me reading one physical book and listening to one audiobook simultaneously, which is one of the reasons why I’m able to get through so many titles each month.
Since I’ve listened to so many audiobooks over the past few years, I’ve found that there are some titles that are just better in this format! In honor of audiobook month (and the fact that I celebrate it all year), I’m sharing ten of the books that you should listen to rather than read!
related posts
The Best Audiobooks I Listened To in 2020 // 9 Excellent Fantasy Audiobooks // What It’s Like to Narrate an Audiobook
10 Incredible Titles to Listen to During Audiobook Month (and Beyond)
If youโre interested in my full reviews of these audiobooks, follow my StoryGraph account, and take a look at my bookstagram โ where I share mini reviews and ratings in my stories, as well as aesthetic coffee and book photos!
Daisy Jones & The Six
Because this book is like one long interview, listening to the audiobook almost feels like listening to a podcast. It’s a full cast (with celebrity narrators) and to this day it’s still the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January
This is such an escape read and listening to the story makes you feel like you’re really living the lives of the characters in the book. I found myself quite literally forgetting my surroundings and not realizing how long I was listening because I was so captivated.
The Starless Sea
Truth time: I tried to read the physical copy of this book first and I just couldn’t get through it. I was confused and kind of bored. I tried the audiobook and BAM! It’s now one of my favorite books ever. There’s a full cast and the magic of the story whisks you away from the get-go.
Talking As Fast As I Can
If you’re a massive Gilmore Girls fan like me, you’ll love this book. Lauren Graham narrates and a huge chunk of the book follows her watching the show from beginning to end for the first time and giving her thoughts on each season. It’s my comfort audiobook. I also adore anything else Lauren narrates, such as her own novel, Someday, Someday Maybe and Rebecca Serle’s most recent release, One Italian Summer.
The Poet X
First of all, Elizabeth Acevedo is a poetic genius, so this book is something truly spectacular. It’s emotional and carries so much depth. Listening to her narrate her own work is a truly phenomenal experience. I found myself tearing up more than once.
Lovely War
Do you like jazz? How about Greek gods giving their perspective on the events that transpired during the World Wars? This is a full cast with jazz interludes and a truly breathtaking story. I didn’t want it to come to an end. I’m not a historical fiction fan, but this one hooked me from beginning to end.
The No-Show
This book was such a pleasant surprise to me. I’ve always loved Beth’s novels, but I’ve never been more shocked than while listening to this. However, not only does it have a phenomenal twist, but the narration is brilliantly done and has several familiar names (such as Evanna Lynch and Kathryn Drysdale).
Blackout
I’m such a sucker for a good anthology – and one of the perks that comes along with books like this is a full cast! Not only were each and every one of these stories performed phenomenally, but I’m actually online friends with one of the narrators! (You can check out my interview with him here).
Ready Player One
Let me just say a couple of things. My husband doesn’t enjoy fiction – or audiobooks – and he loved this one! We listened to it on a road trip and it made the time fly! The sequel is just as great. AND it’s narrated by Wil Wheaton.
Thank You For Listening
A story about an audiobook narrator, written by an audiobook narrator (the best audiobook narrator in my opinion) is just made to be listened to if you ask me. This one truly feels like it was written for audio!
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What are some of your favorite audiobooks?
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Simona says
I’ve read Talking as Fast as I Can because #gilmoregirls and Lauren Graham is just my spirit animal ha! I did not know there was an audio version she narrates herself, I know what my first audiobook ever will be! Also want to listen to Big Little Lies and Daisy Jones & the Six! Oh and Crazy Rich Asians! Oh my god, all of them basically HAHA!
GWT says
I’m always in awe of writers who narrate their own books/stories and truly do it justice. Because it’s harder than it sounds to read your work aloud.
Elizabeth Acevedo, currently reading one of her books!
Jo Linsdell says
You make all these audio books sound so good. I want to listen to them all now!
Interesting to see that several of these are narrated by the authors. Do you think that adds to an audiobook in general? I’m still fairly new to audiobooks and so curious.
Stephanie Whitman says
It truly does depend on the author. Some of them do a spectacular job with their own work (like Elizabeth Acevedo) and some aren’t quite as enjoyable to listen to. However, I will say that if it’s a memoir by an actor or comedian, it’s usually fantastic to listen to! I adore Lauren Graham’s voice, so just listening to Talking As Fast As I Can is a serotonin boost for me haha!
Bookapotamus says
I love this list! Poet X was SO good on audio! I will definitely be taking your recommendation and doing Ready Player One on audio too!
Tiffany McCullough - Metaphysical Mama says
I haven’t really listened to any audio books. I prefer reading, but I may have give it a try. Lovely War sounds amazing and like it would be much better as an audio book. Thanks for sharing!
Raji says
Great picks! I’ve only listened to the audiobook of Ready Player One from this list, but I might have to try some of the other ones, like The Starless Sea which I didn’t enjoy reading much either. Lovely War has also been on my list for a while. Thanks for sharing!
Lizzie says
I lovedddd Crazy rich Asians! Daisy Jones and the Six has been on my list for a while. Audiobooks sound like they’d be a good fit for me!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Alexis says
I didn’t know June was audiobook month! It’s interesting how an audio version can make a book so much better. I don’t listen to audiobooks often since I really can’t focus without a physical book in front of me, but I love the idea of them. Thanks for sharing this list!
Alexis| http://cafe-beauty.com
readandreviewit says
Great post! I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an audiobook but you’ve convinced me to give it a go – it sounds like a really different experience! Thanks for sharing x
Aditi Jain says
I have watched big little lies and crazy rich Asians. Would love to hear it in audio format!
Neely Moldovan says
Jessica Simpsons book is another great one to listen to! I loved Lauren Graham’s book!
Stephanie Whitman says
I’ve heard amazing things about Jessica’s book. I’ve never really known anything about her (or particularly cared), but I might have to check it out because of all the rave reviews.
Andrea's Book Corner says
For the most part, I haven’t had great experiences with audiobooks but I recently found one that was amazing! It’s given me faith in audiobooks again. I’d love to check out Ready Player One – thanks! ๐
Headphonesthoughts says
I have been wanting to read the novel crazy rich Asians. I enjoyed the movie and would love to listen to the audiobook. I have listened the audiobook for the grishaverse and I loved it. I enjoyed listening the the novels.
Stephanie Whitman says
The entire trilogy is excellent! I binged them in about a week when I first listened to them. They’re just fantastic in audiobook form and the story has SO much more depth to it than the movie (which is great but just… not as amazing as the books haha).
Kelly Diane says
I’m always on the lookout for new audio books to enjoy and thanks to your post, I have a few more to add to my list. Talking as fast as I can and Lovely war sound great.
miragail says
I have read quite a number from your list, but I have only listened to Daisy Jones in audio and I completely agree with you! The audiobook made me fall in love with the story more! x
I'm All Booked Up says
We usually don’t listen to audiobooks, but Lauren Graham narrating her own sounds amazing!
Stephani says
I did not know that!! And โTalking As Fast As I canโ sounds like something Iโd like to read/listen to! Thanks for this round up!
Xo, Steph
Amanda says
My first audiobook was Talking As Fast As I Can and I agree– it just wouldn’t have been the same without Lauren Graham reading it! I loved reading Daisy Jones and will have to check out the audiobook because I’m sure it takes it to a whole other level based on the format. Thanks for suggesting these!
rebecca says
these are some of my favorite books and i am looking for a new audiobook so will have to check some of the others out!! thanks as always for sharing such in depth posts about books! always so helpful.
Nathalia says
Talking as Fast as I can is my favourite audiobook of all time! I laughed, I cried, and then I immediately started rewatching the show ๐ It warms my heart and sometimes I just go back and listen to some of my favourite bits, it’s peak comfort.
Alexis Gauthier says
I’m so embarrassed that I’ve only ever read one of these! I’ll have to keep my eyes out for these audiobooks on my library app
Amanda says
I have yet to do an audio book but I feel like I need to because I would get through so many more books! Thanks for these great recommendations:)
lifestyleseason says
Great post! Thank you for sharing this! I’ve never listened to an audiobook before but I definitely want to know! I’ve been meaning to read Big Little Lies for a while now so I might try the audiobook! I also love the sound of the first book!
Emely says
I think I would enjoy audio books. And I definitely want to check out Lauren Grahamโs book & Crazy Rich Asians.
Adaleta Avdic says
I read Night Tiger for a book club I’m in, and everyone said I should have listened to it rather than read it. It’s so hard to know sometimes but when the author narrates the audio, it’s likely going to be so much better since they hav the inflection and the right tone for the various scenes. I may re-download Audible and try to do a book a month there!
Rach says
I had no idea that last month was audio month! Some of the books you mentioned, I’ve read the physical books but really enjoyed them. It would be fun to re-live them through audio!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Greta says
I’m heading on a road trip this week and was looking up books to listen to. Thanks for the suggestion!
Sue says
I love listening to audiobooks and have listened to many. One that I really enjoyed was The Dutch House, narrated by Tom Hanks. Iโm not so sure I would have enjoyed just reading it, but Tom Hanks made the characters and their conversations become so real!
Carolyn says
Love this list! You donโt look your age (and other fairy tales) bySheila Nevins should be added. The cast of narrators is amazing: Martha Stewart, Alan Alda, rupaul, Gloria Steinem, and about 15 others.
Rachel says
Daisy Jones and the Six for sure!! I want to add Becoming Michelle Obama. She reads her book and it’s perfect!
Angelica @ Paperback Princess says
I searched for all of these books at my local library and found half so Iโm super excited as I havenโt listened to audiobooks in awhile.
Iโm unsure why the library had Ready Player one book 2 but not 1 ๐ข
Mo says
I just finished an audiobook called Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore which is about a secret society that’s been trying to solve a mystery left behind by a Renaissance printer. Only one member of the society has solved it before disappearing and he left clues only in the audio versions of his novels. I can’t imagine how different it would have been to have read this in print because you wouldn’t have the voice inflections and accents to follow the same way. It’s an audio DaVinci’s Code I guess you could call it.
Stephanie Whitman says
Crazy enough, I’m planning to read that this month! And I was going to get the audiobook! So, it’s great to know that it was good!
Lee says
This is so cool; I’d never thought about certain books being BETTER in audio format, but having read this post it totally makes sense. I love Lauren Graham and can only imagine how good that one of hers is to listen to with her actually narrating!
Amanda M says
Loved Lauren Grahamโs audiobook! Iโll have to try Crazy Rich Asians audiobook next!