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Audiobook Recommendations Based on 14 Wildly Popular Listens
Here at Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ, we've noticed that a funny thing tends to happen when we start talking about audiobooks: The same few titles get recommended repeatedly. Now, these greatest hits are, of course, great for a reason! Who doesn't love the feats of accent gymnastics that performs inÌý or appreciate 's warm narration ofÌý?
But if you're an avid audiobook aficionado who's looking for your next great listen, we understand that a list of the same old, same old just won't cut it anymore.
That's why we took a look at our data for some recent audiobooks that are getting high marks from reviewers for both their plot and their narration. And to make choosing your next audio adventure easier, we've paired each of our suggestionsÌýwith a popular, well-known audiobook you may have heard of already.Ìý
Be sure to add the stories that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf. Or, better yet, Ìýfor all your audiobook needs!
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But if you're an avid audiobook aficionado who's looking for your next great listen, we understand that a list of the same old, same old just won't cut it anymore.
That's why we took a look at our data for some recent audiobooks that are getting high marks from reviewers for both their plot and their narration. And to make choosing your next audio adventure easier, we've paired each of our suggestionsÌýwith a popular, well-known audiobook you may have heard of already.Ìý
Be sure to add the stories that catch your eye to your Want to Read shelf. Or, better yet, Ìýfor all your audiobook needs!
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If you loved , try:Ìý
Flash back to the era of '90s pop music with this sharp debut about the members of a Spice Girls–style girl group who reunite years after their sudden dissolution when one of their former members dies. Featuring a full-cast narration, this selection should be music to the ears of fans who liked Taylor Jenkins Reid'sÌý.
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If you loved Born a Crime, try:Ìý
Did you love comedian Trevor Noah'sÌýBorn a Crime? Then allow us to suggest this inventive memoir from writer and artist , which chronicles discussions with her six-year-old sonÌýabout their interracial family and American identity. Fun fact: The print version of this book is in graphic format, making itsÌýtransformation into an engaging audiobookÌýall the more impressive!
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If you loved American Gods, try:Ìý
This latest offering from multiple Hugo Award winner is just plain fun. Suggested for listeners who loved the epic scope and reimagined folkloreÌýof Neil Gaiman'sÌýAmerican Gods,ÌýÌýis equal parts urban fantasy, a love letter to New York City, and a celebration of the immigrant and indigenous cultures that make up America.
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If you loved Six of Crows, try:Ìý
Have you adored the fantasy world and high-stakes heist of Six of Crows? Then try this inventive young adult mashup ofÌýLes MisérablesÌýand The Jungle BookÌýthat pits a young cat burglar against both royalty and underworld criminals in the wake of a failed French Revolution.
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If you loved Becoming, try:Ìý
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ members are big fans of Michelle Obama's Becoming audiobook.ÌýHere's a memoir written and narrated by another Michelle (Zauner, of Japanese Breakfast fame) that's sure to tug on heartstrings.ÌýÌýis Zauner's touching, honest account of searching for ways to connect to her Korean heritage while losing her mother to cancer.
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If you loved Educated, try:Ìý
Journalist and LGBTQ+ activist offers an account of his childhood, adolescence, and time in college that's geared toward young adults. But listeners of all ages can find much to appreciate in this memoir/manifesto about queerness, masculinity, and Black joy. One reviewer calls Johnson's narration evidence that he is "a master storyteller." Recommended for fans of Tara Westover'sÌýEducated.
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If you loved The Dutch House, try:Ìý
Fans of the audiobook version ofÌýThe Dutch HouseÌýoften cite their love of Tom Hanks' narration. While this audiobook isÌýnotÌýnarrated by Mr. Hanks, it does still share a certain DNA with the Ann Patchett novel. Both stories are Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Choice Award–nominated, multigenerational family epics that span the course of several decades. You know, if you're into that kind of thing.
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If you loved , try:Ìý
Did the daring escapades ofÌýÌýhave you on the edge of your seat? Then try this latest sci-fi space adventure from author , which follows astronaut Ryland Grace on an interstellar mission to save humanity. The catch? He can't remember who he is, why he's a million miles from Earth, or why he's the sole survivor from the original crew. Early reviewers are raving about narrator Ray Porter's performance!
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If you loved A Gentleman in Moscow, try:Ìý
RecommendingÌýa follow-up listen for perennial fan favoriteÌýA Gentleman in MoscowÌýis a very daunting task! So we're veering a bit sideways instead with this fantasy recommendation, which shares more of an emotional wavelength withÌýAmor Towles' historical novel. Readers call it charming, feel-good, and hopeful. Reviewers say narrator Daniel Henning deftly brings the lovable cast of characters to life.
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If you loved Outlander, try:Ìý
Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other
by Sam HeughanÌýand Graham McTavish
by Sam HeughanÌýand Graham McTavish
For fans who count Diana Gabaldon'sÌýOutlanderÌýamong their favorite audiobooks, this nonfiction travelogue written and narrated by two stars turned pals of the TV series offers behind-the-scenes tidbits about their time filming the show, as well as lots of historical facts and a celebration of the actors' friendship. Plus: swoony Scottish accents!
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If you loved Red, White & Royal Blue, try:Ìý
If you're one of the many listeners who fell for Casey McQuiston's Red, White & Royal Blue, we suggest checking out this queer romance that puts the "com" in "rom-com." Notoriety-averse Luc O'Donnell needs a quick cleanup of his public image, and a fake relationship with stuffy barrister Oliver Blackwood seems like it will perfectly fit the bill. After all, Luc couldn't possibly catch real feelings for a vegan, could he?
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If you loved Sadie, try:Ìý
Listeners who loved the true-crime podcast format of Courtney Summers' SadieÌýwill want to try this recent dark debut.ÌýWhen social worker turned podcaster Elle Castillo kicks off a new season about a decades-old cold case, life begins to mirror art in very disturbing ways.Ìý(Prefer mixed-media thrillers for the YA crowd? Then check out Holly Jackson's AÌýGood Girl's Guide to Murder instead.)
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If you loved The Warmth of Other Suns, try:Ìý
Covering African American stories from 1619 to 2019, this self-described community historyÌýis brought to vivid life by a powerhouse full-cast recording featuring luminaries like Angela Y. Davis, Morgan Parker, and Leslie Odom Jr. Recommended for fans of The Warmth of Other SunsÌýand anyone else who wants to better understand American history.
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If you loved Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, try:Ìý
If the coming-of-age story told in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the UniverseÌýtugged at your heartstrings, try thisÌýsmash hit YA debut from last year.ÌýÌýcombines a contemporary fantasy adventure with a stirring message of self-acceptance. The audiobook is read by rising star Avi Roque, who also providesÌýnarration for this summer's May the Best Man WinÌýandÌýFifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun.
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Now it's your turn! Which audiobooks would you recommend to fellow listeners?ÌýLet's talk books in the comments!
Check out more recent articles, including:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Members' Top 48 Hit Books of the Year (So Far)
Readers' Top 40 Book Club Picks
Readers' Most Anticipated Books of June
Check out more recent articles, including:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Members' Top 48 Hit Books of the Year (So Far)
Readers' Top 40 Book Club Picks
Readers' Most Anticipated Books of June
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Jun 16, 2021 12:39AM
So excited to try some of these,
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With the new movie for Dune coming out, I tried to read Dune for the first time. Whoa. The audiobook completely saved me. At times, some characters would just talk in quotes, but I had no idea who was even talking. With the audiobook, I could tell based on the voices. It was truly delightful!
I'm listening to the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson
Highly recommend Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah as well. It's one of the few books where I found the audio experience was far better then the print version, especially with Noah's narration.
I wouldn't say I like to listen to audiobooks without reading the book. So I usually do both together.
vlogdoandrei wrote: "I wouldn't say I like to listen to audiobooks without reading the book. So I usually do both together."I usually like to read the book first too, sometimes I listen to the audiobook edition instead of re-reading my favorites.
I love the readers for Kate Atkinson's When Will There Be Good News (Steven Crossley) and Started Early, Took My Dog (Graeme Malcolm). They bring such humanity and humor to the characters!
Narrators, narrators, narrators please! Some of us care more about narrators than we do particular books within our favorite genres. Only 8 of these 14 books mention the narrator's name - and the first only says "full cast narration." Where is the mention of the people who bring these stories to life? At least you noted Ray Porter - who is a genius narrator. I continue to be disappointed in the lack of attention given to the narrators who give their time and effort to the telling of the story.
Speaking of narrators, The Dutch House narrated by Tom Hanks is superb. Hank's narration breathes life into the characters and makes the story relatable. I'm avoiding spoilers here, but an educational trust set up for the children is hilarious and brilliant.
Currently listening to The Code Breaker by Walter Isaacson and narrated by Kathe Mazur it easy listening and the languages does not leave anyone behind. Another great audio books I have listen to this year Carpentaria by Alexis Wright and narrated by Isaac Drandich, Winterdance by Gary Paulsen and narrrated by Danny Campbell and Edgar Allan Poe - The Complete Works Collection by Edgar Allan Poe and narrated by Philippe Duquenoy.
Jen wrote: "Narrators, narrators, narrators please! Some of us care more about narrators than we do particular books within our favorite genres. Only 8 of these 14 books mention the narrator's name - and the f..."I agree, I would have mentioned that any books by some of my favorite narrators would be on my list. Sometimes, I pick the book because of the narrator, not the author, because I love what they do to the book and bring it to live. on that list would be Kate Rudd, Elizabeth Evans & Fiona Hardingham. They are not always on the top narrator lists, but they are for me!
I just finished The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, By Stuart Turton, Narrated by James Cameron Stewart. Wow is all I can say! It's a great Murder Mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, but it's so much more than that! It's a bit of Groundhog Day, with a bit of Quantum Leap, in an Agatha Christie style whodunit. It is so fascinating and complex, I want to listen to it again, just to see if there were any clues I missed on the first listen! James Cameron Stewart did an excellent job on the narration, but it would be so interesting to hear it with a full cast performance! I just read that NETFLIX just got the rights to do an adaptation for the screen! How very exciting. It's a perfect story to translate to that format. I hope they do it as a multi-part mini-series rather than trying to fit it into the usual 2-3 hour movie!
Concrete Rose is masterfully read by Dion Graham. Absolutely loved his narration.
I agree with Jen, narrators are key. I have picked audiobooks purely based on a narrator I love. So you should mention them in a post like this. Or maybe even do a spotlight story about some of them.
I would recommend 'A Gentleman's Guide to Vice & Virtue' by Mackenzi Lee (read by Christian Coulson). The story is immersive and fun and the narration is equally great.
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019 was incredible to listen to because of the ensemble of narrators and spoken word/poetry in it.
