The 10 Best Audiobooks I've Ever Listened To

This post was originally published in June 2021. It has been updated with the 10 best audiobooks I’ve listened to.

The 10 Best Audiobooks to Listen to Right Now by The Espresso Edition cozy bookish blog

If you’ve ever been curious about the best audiobooks to listen to, I’m here to help!

Over the past few years, I’ve listened to countless 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 book with my eyes and listening to one audiobook simultaneously, which is just one of the reasons why I’m able to get through so many titles each month.

Some people might think it’s nutty, but I’ve found that there are some titles that are just better in this format. I’m not lying. In the past, I’ve tried to read several books in print that just don’t hit the mark for me, but then I switch to the audiobook and suddenly, I love the story! At this point, I consider myself a bit of an expert when it comes to the best audiobooks ever, so I’m sharing my very favorites with you.

How to Save More Money on Books // How to Read More Books // What It’s Like to Narrate an Audiobook

The 10 Best Audiobooks I’ve Ever Listened To

If you’re interested in my full reviews of these audiobooks, follow my StoryGraph account, and take a look at my bookstagram – where I share mini reviews and ratings in my stories, as well as aesthetic coffee and book photos!

Daisy Jones & The Six

by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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.

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

by Alix e harrow

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 had been listening because I was so captivated.

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

The Starless Sea

by Erin Morgenstern

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.

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

Talking As Fast As I Can

by Lauren graham

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 One Italian Summer.

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo

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.

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

Lovely War

by Julie berry

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.

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

The No-Show

by beth O’Leary

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).

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

Blackout

by Multiple Authors

I’m such a sucker for a good anthology – and one of the perks that come 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).

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

Ready Player One

by Ernest Cline

My husband has never been a fiction fan and primarily read self-help or finance books until recently. However, when we listened to this on a road trip a few years back, it made the time fly and he really enjoyed the story! The sequel is just as great, and they’re both narrated by Wil Wheaton.

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

Thank You For Listening

by Julia Whelan

A story about an audiobook narrator, written by an audiobook narrator (the best audiobook narrator in my opinion), and read by that same audiobook narrator and author! It’s just made to be listened to if you ask me. This one truly feels like it was written for audio!

ADD ON STORYGRAPH

shop the post

coconut wax bookish candles (ESPRESSO10) | wooden cake tray | mug and saucer | single-serve French press | similar hand mirror | similar birdcage | cotton sprigs | pine cones | sweater | cinnamon sticks | blue light-blocking glasses | burlap ribbon

What are some of your favorite audiobooks?

pin for later

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

44 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Simona

3 years ago

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

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

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

Reply to Jo Linsdell

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!

Jen

2 months ago

Reply to Stephanie Whitman

Listening to Jason Reynolds read his own books takes them to the next level. Same with Kwame Alexander.

Bookapotamus

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

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

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

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

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

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

I have watched big little lies and crazy rich Asians. Would love to hear it in audio format!

Neely Moldovan

Jessica Simpsons book is another great one to listen to! I loved Lauren Graham’s book!

Reply to Neely Moldovan

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

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! 🙂

Headphonesthoughts

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.

Reply to Headphonesthoughts

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

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

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

We usually don’t listen to audiobooks, but Lauren Graham narrating her own sounds amazing!

Stephani

I did not know that!! And ‘Talking As Fast As I can’ sounds like something I’d like to read/listen to! Thanks for this round up!

Xo, Steph

Amanda

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

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

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 😂 It warms my heart and sometimes I just go back and listen to some of my favourite bits, it’s peak comfort.

Alexis Gauthier

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

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

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

I think I would enjoy audio books. And I definitely want to check out Lauren Graham’s book & Crazy Rich Asians.

Adaleta Avdic

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

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

I’m heading on a road trip this week and was looking up books to listen to. Thanks for the suggestion!

Sue

2 years ago

I love listening to audiobooks and have listened to many. One that I really enjoyed was The Dutch House, narrated by Tom Hanks. I’m not so sure I would have enjoyed just reading it, but Tom Hanks made the characters and their conversations become so real!

Carolyn

Love this list! You don’t 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

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

I searched for all of these books at my local library and found half so I’m super excited as I haven’t listened to audiobooks in awhile.

I’m unsure why the library had Ready Player one book 2 but not 1 😢

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.

Reply to Mo

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

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

Loved Lauren Graham’s audiobook! I’ll have to try Crazy Rich Asians audiobook next!

Celeste | A Literary Escape

1 year ago

I’m still new to the audiobook scene. I tried a couple of fantasy books on audio. One I liked (The Hobbit) because it was dramatized; the other I had a hard time with (These Wicked Walls). And one I loved (ACOTAR) because it was dramatized and it was amazing. I’ve since found that I consistently do better with nonfiction on audiobook. And I think it’s because I’m already somewhat familiar with the world/cultures/etc. in which it takes place, so that’s one part of my brain that doesn’t have to focus as much. It’s definitely a personal preference since I’m more of a visual information learner/retainer rather than learning through auditory input. I’ve been told that listening to memoirs on audio if they’re read by the author is quite a nice touch (like SPARE).

Carlie Galloway

I’ll have to give Ready Player One a shot on audio! I’m obsessed with audiobooks and am convinced some books are better read as audio. Great list!

Karen Hayes

I’m relatively new to audiobooks (about 3 years), but as I drive a lot, they suit me. I always have two books on the go, one that I’m listening to and one that I’m reading on my kindle :-). One of my all time favourites is Green Lights by Matthew McConaghy. Swoon! This one most definitely has to be listened to. He narrates himself! Do I need to say anymore?

I loved Daisy Jones on audio. Crazy Rich Asians has been on my list forever! Now it will defo be my next one.

I much preferred Michelle Obama’s Becoming on audio. I found reading it a bit boring to be honest and switched to audio half way through.

Angela Long

I almost exclusively listen to audiobooks. Love them! My all-time favorite is ” The Patron Saint of Second Chances” by Christine Simon. The narrator is incredible and does the Italian voices perfectly! It’s a wonderful, funny, frolicking romp of a book.

Marcy

8 months ago

I just found this site – lots of good stuff here! Has anyone listened to Demon Copperhead? I listen to A LOT of audibooks, and that one is probably the best I’ve ever heard. The narrator was perfect, the story was so so good, and I just loved it. Would love to hear other opinions. =)

10 Books You Should Listen To Rather Than Read

If you’ve ever been curious about the best audiobooks to listen to, I’m here to help!

related posts

How to Save More Money on Books // How to Read More Books // What It’s Like to Narrate an Audiobook