AudioFile Editors's Reading List
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Open in WellRead Daily app →Best Audiobooks for Young Adults of 2025 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-12-29).
Source: fivebooks.com
Rachel Hartman · Buy on Amazon
"Among Ghosts by Rachel Hartman, narrated by Will Watt Will Watt’s warm, empathetic performance makes this stand-alone fantasy set in the world of Seraphina a must-listen. In a story in which past crimes and present troubles converge, Watt flawlessly moves from character to character, giving each one a distinct and instantly recognizable voice and keeping listeners spellbound as the action unfolds. Charl’s unassuming town of St. Muckle’s is besieged — first by disease-carrying beetles and then by a dragon — all in an effort to return Charl to his father, an abusive earl. Charl hides in an abandoned abbey that turns out to be populated by ghosts whom Charl can see and speak with. Watt expertly steers the story as the many threads come together and reveal themes of family, kindness, identity, belonging, and redemption. (12 hours)"
Marcie Flinchum Atkins · Buy on Amazon
"One Step Forward by Marcie Flinchum Atkins, narrated by Chanté McCormick Atkins’s historical audiobook novel-in-verse shines a light on an important chapter of American history, beginning with the 1913 Women’s March and ending with the 1920 ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment. Chanté McCormick gives the historical, mostly forgotten, Matilda Young a compelling voice. Matilda’s voice gains confidence and strength as she grows from a shy 14-year-old — when the Women’s March renewed interest in women’s suffrage — to a committed worker for the cause who became the youngest suffragist to be arrested and serve jail time. McCormick’s even tempo and smooth delivery make it easy to follow the extensive author’s notes, including biographical information on the historical figures. Download the accompanying PDF for valuable resources, such as an extensive timeline, bibliography, and author sources. (4 hours)"
Angeline Boulley · Buy on Amazon
"Isabella Star LaBlanc provides a superior narration of Boulley’s third YA novel, this one featuring eighteen-year-old Lucy Smith. First-person chapters taking place in the past are interspersed with those in the present, moving forward chronologically until time is synced. LaBlanc portrays young, openhearted Lucy, who responds lovingly to her father’s protective care. Later, after horrific experiences in the foster care system, she grows into a fighter and a sleuth. LaBlanc’s narration propels this mystery with nonstop tension as listeners anticipate the meeting of the two time periods and hope for a satisfying resolution to Lucy’s troubles. (12.5 hours)"
Joanne Yi · Buy on Amazon
"All the Tomorrows After by Joanne Yi, narrated by Greta Jung Greta Jung’s narration quickly establishes the reasons for 17-year-old Korean American Winter Moon’s sarcasm. Her tone becomes understandable when Winter’s selfish, caustic mother comes into the picture. Jung also depicts Winter’s tenderness toward her loving grandmother, Halmoni, and her heartbreak at Halmoni’s death. These are only some of Jung’s portrayals of complex characters and complicated relationships in this coming-of-age story. When her estranged father re-enters her life, their fragile relationship becomes complicated when his ALS is revealed. Winter’s first relationship with the sensitive Joon balances her, but this too raises questions. Jung’s deep portraits of all these relationships make for a propelling listen. (11.75 hours)"
Ibi Zoboi · Buy on Amazon
"Myths come to life through Bahni Turpin and Robin Miles’s stellar narration of this young adult fantasy. Marisol and her mother left their home in the Caribbean to live in Brooklyn. Marisol hopes to leave their island traditions and her family’s magic behind. Genevieve grew up listening to her white father’s mythical stories from her unknown mother’s homeland. When the teens’ lives collide, both discover secrets that change their views of their worlds. It’s no surprise that both Turpin and Miles are Golden Voice narrators. Their skills bring Genevieve’s and Marisol’s stories to life as they capture the teens’ personalities. Miles exquisitely delivers Marisol’s Caribbean accent, while Turpin channels Genevieve’s frustrations with her family and her own health. Simply magical. (6.25 hours)"
Libba Bray · Buy on Amazon
"A trio of narrators portray teens from different eras and settings. January LaVoy transitions smoothly from the accented dialogue of Hanna and Sophie, two Polish teens, to an unstressed voicing of their risk-taking amid Hitler’s threats in 1939. Jeremy Carlisle Parker transitions listeners to 1980 West Berlin, where Jenny adjusts to her family’s move from Dallas. Parker also portrays passionate, German-accented Lena, a queer punk rocker, whom Jenny comes to love. In addition, Parker delivers the softer storytelling tones of an older German woman. Major Curda communicates the growth of Brooklynite Miles, who solves the mysterious disappearances of two girls sixty years earlier. The trio heighten their narrations as the story’s tension increases and connections become clear. (16.5 hours)"
The Best Multi-Voice Audiobooks of 2024 (2024)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2024-12-28).
Source: fivebooks.com
Garrett Graff · Buy on Amazon
"This excellent full-cast production uses the recollections of those who participated in D-Day—its planning, training, and actual combat—to tell the story of the largest amphibious assault in history. Edoardo Ballerini and 25 other narrators portray the 700 roles in this book. This moving history, which makes it seem like one is hearing from the actual participants, is difficult to pause. (19.75 hrs)"
George Orwell & Joe White · Buy on Amazon
"Narrators Andrew Garfield and Cynthia Erivo lead a crew of inspired English actors in creating a full-cast, film-like 21st-century reimagining of one of the twentieth century’s most important novels. The production is peppered with eerie urban soundscapes and a haunting musical score. 1984—sounding more dystopian than ever. (3.5 hrs)"
Harlan Ellison (editor) · Buy on Amazon
"Thirty-three stories from thirty-two legends in the sci-fi genre are narrated by a selection of talented narrators. Each narrator also wraps up their short story with a compelling performance of the story’s afterword. The collection is half fantastic science fiction and half commentary of the sci-fi industry with insightful thoughts from Ellison and all the authors in the collection. (24.5 hrs)"
R.C. Sheriff · Buy on Amazon
"By the waning months of WWI, English troops remained dug in 100 yards from the enemy. Waiting. In this superb audio adaptation of this 1928 classic drama, the naturalistic dialogue is what will draw the listener into the trenches—it’s that realistic and affecting. The production features a cast of top-tier English character actors. Tense, all too human, and devastating—like war itself. (1.75 hours)"
Patricia Briggs · Buy on Amazon
"A full cast of creatures—including a shape-shifting coyote, werewolves, vampires, fae, the local witch, and humans—are depicted by a talented cast of voice actors. Most impressive is Khaya Fraites, who takes on the role of first-person narrator Mercy Thompson, a plucky 20-something mechanic and shape-shifter. Joyous yips, howls, and growls create a clever soundscape that also includes clicking claws and ethereal music. (6.75 hours)"
Alison Fensterstock (editor) · Buy on Amazon
"Alison Fensterstock and Ann Powers deliver an ambitious, sprawling project recentering women in the history of music. Often, performers’ own voices are present, providing their perspectives directly. It’s exhilarating to hear Dolly Parton, Nina Simone, and Queen Latifah in the mix, giving listeners this mosaic of music history. The impact is undeniable. (10.75 hrs) Throughout December, AudioFile editors have been focusing on the best books in different categories in their ‘Behind the Mic’ podcast."
The Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks of 2024 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-01-08).
Source: fivebooks.com
Joseph Kanon · Buy on Amazon
"Jonathan Davis digs deep into his narration toolbox in this atmospheric audiobook set in 1939. As the world prepares for war, displaced European Jews attempt a departure to parts unknown. When the disparate citizens gather on a last-chance trip to Shanghai, Davis modulates the tempo and emotion throughout the remainder of the audiobook, ratcheting up the excitement for the final confrontation. (10.5 hours)"
Kate Quinn · Buy on Amazon
"Narrator Saskia Maarleveld enlivens the characters in this masterfully crafted window onto the 1950s. While there are murders and other crimes, the focus is the individual stories of the women boarders of Briarwood House in Washington, DC. Maarleveld’s talent for accents coupled with Quinn’s vivid writing makes this audiobook a compelling and informative listening experience. (15 hours)"
Jean Hanff Korelitz · 2024 · Buy on Amazon
"Fans of The Plot , and they were legion, will rejoice at this sequel, performed with mesmerizing skill by the wonderful Julia Whelan. It’s no small feat to make a lethally dislikable character irresistible on the page, let alone in the ear, but Korelitz and Whelan have done it. Anna is a monster of ego, incapable of sympathy for anyone but herself. Whelan’s achievement here seems like a little miracle, relentlessly compelling and wonderfully satisfying. (10 hours)"
Allison Brennan · Buy on Amazon
"Hillary Huber has found the perfect voice for PI Margo Angelhart, portraying her as confident, righteous, and brave. Margo’s chapters, told in the first person, let listeners experience her thoughts and emotions as she protects an abused woman and uncovers her own client’s deceptions. Listeners hear the points of view of several other characters who have their own chapters, all masterfully differentiated by Huber. (10.5 hours)"
Louise Penny · Buy on Amazon
"Jean Brassard, Louise Penny’s choice to narrate her 19th Armand Gamache/Three Pines novel, proves an inspired selection. From his portrayals of familiar Three Pines residents to his introduction of new characters, Brassard, a native Quebecois and award-winning actor, gets it right. Brassard’s accents—whether French Canadian, Italian, or continental French—create indelible characters. (12.75 hours)"
Harini Nagendra · Buy on Amazon
"AudioFile Golden Voice Soneela Nankani immerses listeners in 1920s India on the eve of a visit from Edward, Prince of Wales. This third installment in the Bangalore Detectives Club series is rife with intrigue, politics, and the fight for autonomy—for women, for the lower classes, and for India itself. Nankani’s brisk, distinctly voiced performance is riveting as she expertly distinguishes among the large cast of characters. (11 hours)"
The Best Fiction Audiobooks of 2024 (2024)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2024-12-04).
Source: fivebooks.com
Julia Alvarez · Buy on Amazon
"Cuervo’s warm, rich timbre and measured style suit this captivating audiobook. Her delivery works perfectly as she emulates the author’s empathetic tone and wit. This is a vividly imagined story of a novelist whose nom de plume is Scheherazade. She leaves Vermont and returns to her native Dominican Republic to bury her untold (unfinished) works. (9 hours)"
Kiley Reid · Buy on Amazon
"Millie Cousins is a senior resident assistant at the University of Arkansas. When a visiting professor and journalist offers her money in exchange for the opportunity to eavesdrop on the dorm’s residents, Millie decides to take the risk and accept. Lewis’s performance makes the vivid dialogue sing. She creates unique voices for all of the major characters, complete with the perfect accents and delivery of expressions. (13 hours)"
Liane Moriarty · Buy on Amazon
"Narrators Lee and Hakewill weave the threads of this tense exploration of free will. Lee voices a nondescript woman on a delayed flight across Australia who suddenly stands and begins pointing to fellow passengers and stating how they will die and when. Hakewill’s narration creates the sense that the other travelers are united in fear and hope. (16 hours)"
Nell Freudenberger · Buy on Amazon
"Set in New York City and French Polynesia in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, this mesmerizing audiobook is flawlessly narrated by Rebecca Lowman. Lowman’s flexible, emotive delivery and steady pace settle listeners into this contemplative story exploring medicine, environmental devastation, colonialism, family dynamics, and the impact of privilege during the pandemic. (11 hours, 50 minutes)"
Percival Everett · Buy on Amazon
"Dominic Hoffman narrates this reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , but this time Jim tells his own story. Hoffman’s performance captures the varying tone of Jim’s dialogue, highlighting the shifts in his vocabulary and rhythm. With its subtlety and attention to detail, Hoffman’s narration reinforces Jim’s character and narrative arcs as Jim takes back his agency in life. (7 hours, 50 minutes)"
Kristin Hannah · 2024 · Buy on Amazon
"The sure touch of ‘Golden Voice’ narrator Julia Whelan transforms Kristin Hannah’s absorbing novel about Vietnam War combat nurses into an addictive listen. As the novel interweaves historical research with the characters’ Vietnam and postwar lives, Whelan’s intensity and warmth help listeners empathize with the personal and understand the big picture. (15 hours) Throughout December, AudioFile editors will be focusing on the best books in different categories in their ‘Behind the Mic’ podcast , starting with fiction on December 5th."
The Best Fiction Audiobooks of 2025 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-12-05).
Source: fivebooks.com
Nathan Harris · Buy on Amazon
"Narrators André Santana and Angel Pean add emotional depth to this moving story. In the aftermath of the Civil War, emancipated siblings Coleman and June cannot escape the Harper family of Baton Rouge. Mr. Harper, seeking his fortune in a Mexican silver mine, forces June to accompany him. Santana and Pean excel in distinguishing each character and fully immersing listeners in this gripping story. Their performances elevate the novel to unforgettable heights. (12.25 hours)"
Ian McEwan · Buy on Amazon
"Narrators David Rintoul and Rachel Bavidge perform with distinct British styles as this speculative novel jumps around in time. Rintoul portrays Tom, who lives in the 22nd century, when the diminished world has experienced climate catastrophes and been ravaged by AI-controlled wars. Rintoul’s professorial tone and diction strongly suggest an interior life of the mind. Bavidge captures Vivien’s 21st-century conflicts, sensuality, and intellect. She’s the wife of famous poet Francis Blundy, whose lost work, “A Corona for Vivien,” provides the subplot of Tom’s search for it a century later. (11 hours)"
Karen Russell · Buy on Amazon
"Karen Russell, the magical realism and prose virtuoso, conjures the American Dust Bowl. Her vibrant imaginings are voiced by a stellar cast. Sophie Amoss shimmers as the Antidote, a “prairie witch” who takes verbal deposits; Asphodel Oletsky, a teen recently orphaned when her mom was murdered, is vividly portrayed by Elena Rey; and the masterful Mark Bramhall inhabits the sane, sensitive, long-suffering wheat farmer, Harp Oletsky. The audiobook’s action occurs between two immense weather events six weeks apart in 1935—an epic dust storm dubbed “Black Sunday” bookended by a torrential rain and flood. (17 hours)"
Jon Hickey · Buy on Amazon
"Loss haunts this powerful story of politics, corruption, and loyalty. Narrator Shaun Taylor-Corbett performs this debut novel with just the right tone, style, and tempo. He voices the angsty Mitch Caddo with a sure sense of his conflicted life as a “fixer” for the fictional Passage Rouge Nation. The plot revolves around the days just before a tribal election when issues arise involving tribal membership and past suspect business dealings. Taylor-Corbett delivers the dialogue with restraint and intelligence and is masterful in bringing this compelling novel to life. (10 hours)"
Patrick Ryan · Buy on Amazon
"Golden Voice Narrator Michael Crouch brings his expert skills to this complex historical drama. While WWII still rages in the Pacific, a secret spanning generations begins in Bonhomie, Ohio. Cal Jenkins and Margaret Salt, who are married to other people, share a kiss in a hardware store upon the news of victory over Germany, and this starts a massive trickle-down effect throughout generations of their two families. Crouch’s smooth narration powerfully dramatizes how one moment can change everything. (15.75 hours)"
Erin Crosby Eckstine · Buy on Amazon
"Narrator Angel Pean’s stand-out performance is essential here. Her storytelling skill is consistently riveting, fully embodying these characters and the detailed and occasionally magical world they inhabit. Junie, an enslaved girl in 1800s Alabama, lives with the loss of her sister, Minnie, whose death is a weight on her conscience. An encounter with Minnie’s ghost changes Junie’s life, opening a new path that could include escaping her captors. (13.5 hours)"
The Best Audiobooks for Kids of 2024 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-01-26).
Source: fivebooks.com
Katherine Rundell · Buy on Amazon
"If Christopher weren’t holding a baby griffin, he never would have come to believe his grandfather about the hidden archipelago where magical creatures live. Samuel West’s presentation shines as he provides voices appropriate for the magical world’s denizens, depth for several emotional moments, and increasing emphasis as the journey becomes more dangerous. (9 hours)"
Yamile Saied Méndez · Buy on Amazon
"Maria Liatis delivers a heartwarming performance as a 13-year-old with a passion for fútbol and her family. Valeria is a star player on the boys’ soccer team, coached by her gruff abuelo. Liatis’s sensitive, understated narration showcases the book’s rich themes of family, resilience, and perseverance. (7.5 hours)"
Mavis Staples and Carole Boston Weatherford · Buy on Amazon
"Singer and activist Mavis Staples brings her iconic, resonant voice to the narration of this audiobook, giving young listeners an unforgettable glimpse of her remarkable musical life. In a voice ringing with warmth, humor, and conviction, Staples describes her musical roots. Adenrele Ojo capably narrates the supplemental materials, including a timeline and suggestions for further study. (28 minutes)"
Ali Terese · Buy on Amazon
"Josephine Huang and Cassandra Morris join forces to deliver the captivating story of best friends in this exceptional middle-grade audiobook. Helen and Gracie are known for their mischievous antics. Their latest escapade leads them to join the Community Action Club, currently dedicated to promoting period equity. (7 hours)"
Allie Millington · Buy on Amazon
"A charming story and two narrators exuding energy and warmth knock it out of the park. Simon Vance is Olivetti, a typewriter who breaks the “typewriterly” code of silence to spill his tapestry of tales in order to find his missing owner. Twelve-year-old Ernest, portrayed expertly by Christopher Gebauer with an appealing mix of anxiety, heart, and wry humor, prefers dictionaries and solitude, but he must trust a sentient typewriter and make a friend to find his mother. (4.5 hours)"
Lois Lowry · Buy on Amazon
"This humble and wonderful performance by Hope Newhouse will engage a wide audience. Two Sophies are best friends; one is an elementary school student, and the other is an aging woman who is beginning her struggle with memory loss. Newhouse’s ability to transform her narration to highlight both the stark age difference and the friendship between both characters is a cornerstone of the performance. (3.25 hours)"
The Best Audiobooks for Young Adults of 2024 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-01-19).
Source: fivebooks.com
Jonny Garza Villa · Buy on Amazon
"Alejandro Antonio Ruiz embodies all of the roiling emotions in this compelling queer teen love story. Rafie learned his love of mariachi from his abuelo. He’s devastated when his abuelo dies yet is determined to bring home another first-place trophy from the Mariachi Extravaganza. Ruiz yells, cries, whispers, laughs, and sings, revealing all the many layers to the story. ( 10 hours )"
Jane Hur · Buy on Amazon
"Greg Chun and Michelle Lee portray the alliance and the attraction between the two main characters whose alternating chapters tell this historical mystery set in 1506 Korea. Lee’s narration is suffused with 17-year-old Isuel’s desire to free her older sister from cruel King Yeonsan. Chun’s portrayal shows Daehyu, the king’s wise half brother, yielding regretfully to the increasing demands of the king while slyly plotting treason. ( 10 hours )"
Tony Keith Jr. · Buy on Amazon
"Hip-hop artist Tony Keith, Jr., narrates his free-verse coming-of-age memoir. His pacing and tone allow listeners to feel the power of his words and imagine his world. His skill as a narrator is evident as he delivers lyrical imagery mixed with dialect. Sound effects illuminate the poems’ themes: Drums aid listeners in picturing the richness of African imagery in one poem; in another listeners hear the murmurs of a cafeteria. (5 hours)"
Gary D. Schmidt · Buy on Amazon
"(the sequel Orbiting Jupiter ) Christopher Gebauer narrated the tragic novel Orbiting Jupiter and now delivers its companion; both stories are told in the voice of an eighth-grader named Jack. Listening to these novels in order will allow fans to appreciate Gebauer’s portrayal of Jack’s astounding growth. Gebauer’s portrayals of adults are fully realized, particularly Jack’s caustic but caring coach and his domineering grandfather, who has a broken heart. (3.5 hours)"
Jason Reynolds · Buy on Amazon
"Guy Lockard narrates this fresh and funny novel from Jason Reynolds. Told from the perspective of 17-year-old Neon, the novel moves backward over Neon’s past 24 months. As he prepares to celebrate his anniversary with his girlfriend, he reflects on everything that has happened since they first met. Lockard’s deep, resonant voice is expressive and full of humor that fits Neon’s youth and the bright banter between Neon and his friends. (4.25 hours)"
Jandy Nelson · Buy on Amazon
"This performance by a five-narrator cast is truly special. Every perspective offers an individual personality and a spectrum of emotions. It genuinely feels like each character is a complete story on their own, but when blended together, they create a symphony of mystery, challenges, and compelling world-building. (17.25 hours)"
The Best Biography & Memoir Audiobooks of 2024 (2024)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2024-12-08).
Source: fivebooks.com
Whoopi Goldberg · Buy on Amazon
"Entertainer Whoopi Goldberg’s raspy timbre and amused tone make her the only person appropriate to narrate her memoir. As listeners hear just a trace of a New York City inflection at the ends of some sentences, the story of Goldberg’s career is skillfully woven into anecdotes featuring her exceptional mother, Emma Johnson, and her unique older brother, Clyde. (6.5 hours)"
Paul Alexander · Buy on Amazon
"Performing this revealing look at the complexities of the revered jazz pioneer Billie Holiday, actress Maya Days connects with every ounce of the brilliance and tragedy of the singer’s life. Her heartfelt resonance with Holiday’s difficult life makes the author’s evocative writing riveting. (12 hours)"
David Greenberg · Buy on Amazon
"John Lewis has been described as a quiet revolutionary and the conscience of Congress. This sums up the two halves of this biography, which covers his early years as a frontline civil rights campaigner and his later years as a driving force on Capitol Hill. David Sadzin’s smooth narration adds to the compelling nature of the text. (24.5 hours hours)"
Patrick J. Kennedy & Stephen Fried · Buy on Amazon
"Johnny Heller’s moving performance of this excellent audiobook is never out of sync with the shifting moods and overall poignant content offered by the articulate congressman and his cowriter. The authors recount the stories of 12 prominent people with psychiatric disorders as they struggled to manage their symptoms, seek help, and integrate their conditions with their work and personal relationships. (10 hours)"
James Kaplan · Buy on Amazon
"This absorbing audiobook looks at the lives of three jazz greats—Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Bill Evans. Their lives were challenging and full of pathos, which narrator Dion Graham captures with the empathy and vocal talent he’s known for. Pauses, pitch patterns, and finely modulated intensity make his performance sing but never upstage the drama. (14 hours)"
Stanley Tucci · Buy on Amazon
"A nuanced narrator who plays with tone and tempo like a jazz musician, Stanley Tucci knows how to be ironic, self-effacing, witty, and charming, yet his performance is most satisfying because of his restraint. Tucci is a creative gourmand who is mischievous (he whispers his preparation of pigeon breasts) and masterfully ends each section with suggestions, recipes, appreciations, and observations. (7.75 hours) For their best-of-the-year lists, AudioFile editors choose books in a variety of genres—from novels to nonfiction, and from single voice to full-cast productions. You can listen to a podcast with Robin Whitten, founder and editor of AudioFile, explaining how they make their selections here. Throughout December, AudioFile editors will also be focusing on the best books in different categories in their ‘Behind the Mic’ podcast."
The Best Biography & Memoir Audiobooks of 2025 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-12-17).
Source: fivebooks.com
Nicholas Boggs · Buy on Amazon
"For more than 24 stunning hours, narrator Ron Butler immerses listeners in the world of writer James Baldwin. This detailed biography structures Baldwin’s life around his greatest loves, the people who filled so many of his thoughts. Butler’s narration is a master class in maintaining the listener’s attention over the course of a lengthy audiobook. He makes every change in tone, volume, and pace with careful purpose, creating a seamless listening experience. (24.5 hours)"
Geraldine Brooks · Buy on Amazon
"When novelist Geraldine Brooks’s husband, Tony Horwitz, dies while on a book tour, she gets the call from a harried medical resident who can’t get off the phone fast enough. Brooks alternates between memories of those first days and her life three years later on an isolated island in Australia, where she finally takes time to focus on grieving. Listening feels particularly intimate. Brooks’s performance is heartfelt and beautiful, both precise and expansive. (5 hours)"
Ron Chernow · Buy on Amazon
"Twain’s twang, as delivered by Jason Culp, runs through this compelling and comprehensive audiobook like a vein of gold. He convincingly portrays the great humorist in all his guises—raconteur, lecturer, parent, public figure, wit, and philosopher—homespun and not. Culp expertly narrates the exposition (and in a 44-hour biography there’s plenty) and modulates his voice and pitch for different speakers. But it’s in his emulation of the tone and timing of the old rakehell himself that Culp sparkles. (44.5 hours)"
Jen Hatmaker · Buy on Amazon
"Those who have watched Hatmaker’s videos or listened to her podcasts will immediately recognize her distinctive speaking style in this memoir recounting her journey from the trauma of divorce and evangelicalism to the healing and rebuilding of her life. Her cadence is energetic, and listeners will be captivated by her combination of gravity and humor overlaid with forthright sincerity. Also, featured in the audiobook are asides voiced by friends and family, as well as audio clips of interviews from Hatmaker’s podcasts. (7.5 hours)"
John Seabrook · Buy on Amazon
"This performance by a five-narrator cast is truly special. Every perspective offers an individual personality and a spectrum of emotions. It genuinely feels like each character is a complete story on their own, but when blended together, they create a symphony of mystery, challenges, and compelling world-building. (10.25 hours)"
Vicky Nguyen · Buy on Amazon
"Award-winning NBC News Anchor and Chief Consumer Investigative Correspondent Vicky Nguyen delivers her memoir with the same passion and rapid-fire delivery that she brings to her television work. This audiobook offers great insight into the talented journalist. Born in Saigon, Nguyen fled to a Malaysian refugee camp with her family, finally immigrating to the U.S., where she continues to experience the pain of racism. Her ambitious quest for each TV job is carefully balanced with her concern for how her family will be affected as she climbs the career ladder. (7.75 hours)"
The Best Multi-Voice Audiobooks of 2025 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-12-28).
Source: fivebooks.com
Garrett Graff · Buy on Amazon
"This oral history of the Manhattan Project and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is dramatically made aural, thanks to the talents of some 30 narrators, plus the author. This audiobook features snippets of first-person accounts of those who lived the history. The individuals included number more than 450, and most of the narrators portray many characters, with Edoardo Ballerini narrating the connective tissue that binds them all together. Listeners may be so engrossed they don’t think of the production’s tremendous complexity—if they do, they’ll find it all the more astounding. (20.25 hours)"
Aaron Lipstadt, Daniel Pyne, Jamie Napoli, John Mankiewicz & Katie Pyne · Buy on Amazon
"Listeners are treated to the rich audio experience of being immersed in the uproar of a 1950s community as major deals unfold to bring the Brooklyn Dodgers to Los Angeles. Listeners will be immersed in a rich audio world filled with revving engines, flying punches, gunshots, bodies dropping, and even a woman speaking from inside an iron lung. The result is an entertaining noir layered with history and surround sound. (4.5 hours)"
Janine Janssen & S. Al Sabado · Buy on Amazon
"This audiobook adaptation of the graphic novel features a stellar cast and vibrant soundtrack. Sébastien, portrayed by Ramón de Ocampo with a French accent, is freshly moved into a new apartment and ready to finally learn magic. Elia, depicted suavely by Fajer Al-Kaisi in an Italian accent, is the hot supermodel vampire next door. The banter between de Ocampo and Al-Kaisi is filled with tension. Music and sound effects immerse listeners in the rich setting of a supernatural Paris. (2 hours)"
Barbara Truelove · Buy on Amazon
"This heartfelt sci-fi monster mash-up of an audiobook is stunningly narrated by an excellent ensemble. Charlie Albers voices DEMETER, a spaceship that travels between planets whose human passengers keep getting murdered through paranormal encounters. Albers’s impressive skill at differentiating voices enlivens the robotic DEMETER, who is filled with anxiety. This is a laugh-out-loud audiobook full of thrills and a touch of romance as DEMETER and her surviving passengers set out for revenge against Dracula. (12.75 hours)"
Jason Reynolds · Buy on Amazon
"A full cast gives a wonderfully vibrant performance of Jason Reynolds’s powerful story about found family and music. Nile Bullock heads up the ensemble as 18-year-old Stuyvesant (Stuy), an avid drummer. The uniformly excellent performances make the characters feel real, developed, and relatable, and the lively conversations among teenagers sound absolutely authentic. Justin Ellington’s extensive and essential musical score gives SOUNDTRACK its soundtrack. The result is a production that’s full of heart. (6.5 hours)"
The Best Mystery & Suspense Audiobooks of 2025 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-12-14).
Source: fivebooks.com
Jessie Garcia · Buy on Amazon
"The ensemble of narrators adds great depth to this audiobook, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the richness of well-defined characters. The listening experience is memorable because each of the narrators is superb. There is Hillary Huber as Stephanie, who is presumably murdered on a business trip. There is Jennifer Pickens as Jasmine, the expertly portrayed woman who is desperate to have what she believes everyone else has. And there is Tim Campbell, who perfectly portrays the smarmy Trent McCarthy, the presumed murderer of Stephanie and Jasmine. All, of course, is not as it seems. The result is a riveting audiobook that will keep listeners hooked from start to surprising finish. (9 hours)"
Jeffery Deaver · Buy on Amazon
"In this gripping audiobook, Colter Shaw—tracker and survivalist—is hired to locate a missing family trapped after a levee collapses during a catastrophic storm. As he searches, Shaw uncovers a sinister plot that suggests the disaster may not have been entirely natural. Narrator Kaleo Griffith delivers a masterful performance, giving each character a distinct and memorable voice. He especially shines in portraying Shaw—cocky, insightful, and sharp—with subtle vocal nuances that convey both intellect and emotion. (11.75 hours)"
Annie Mare & Ruthie Knox · Buy on Amazon
"Mia Hutchinson-Shaw’s narration of the first book in this cozy mystery series is delightful. She brings a warm, engaging tone to the story of Prairie Nightingale, a divorced homemaker with two daughters. Her neighbors might call her a busybody, but Prairie’s insatiable curiosity drives her to investigate when her neighbor, popular mom and entrepreneur Lisa Radcliffe, goes missing. Hutchinson-Shaw’s performance captures Prairie’s genuinely good intentions and heartfelt nature even as she uncovers her Wisconsin neighbors’ dark secrets. (10.75 hours)"
Robert Rotstein · Buy on Amazon
"Thirteen talented narrators deliver flawless performances in this engrossing courtroom drama. Ellison Ricard, a Black research analyst for a Big Pharma company, uncovers data suggesting that their bestselling drug is harmful to Black users. After a violent confrontation that leads to his dismissal, Ricard files a civil suit against MediMiracle. The novel’s structure is perfect for audio. In interwoven monologues, secret passions, prejudices, and personal problems are revealed. (8.5 hours)"
Stephen King · Buy on Amazon
"Jessie Mueller provides a rich, satisfying performance that should please fans of King’s audiobooks, particularly his most recent works. By now, King has fully embraced the detective genre. Private investigator Holly Gibney is back—with her dizzying intellect, ability to think through tough cases, and relatable quirks. The story is a revenge plot that has the murderer announcing to law enforcement a plan to kill “13 guilty and one innocent.” Mueller fully embodies the many diverse voices that make up Gibney’s world of the Finders Keepers detective agency. (14.75 hours)"
Tess Gerritsen · Buy on Amazon
"Is this audiobook delivered by a full cast? No, just the immensely talented Hillary Huber. In this second installment of The Martini Club series, Huber crafts distinct voices for each male and female character, immersing listeners in the search for a missing teenage girl in the club’s hometown of Purity, Maine. The retired CIA agents of the Martini Club use their skills to stay ahead of the police chief, uncovering long-held, deadly secrets that will forever change their town. (9 hours)"
The Best Nonfiction Audiobooks of 2024 (2024)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2024-12-14).
Source: fivebooks.com
Emily Nussbaum · Buy on Amazon
"Gabra Zackman’s narration fully embodies a balance of deep insight and affability—a perfect fit here. Nussbaum’s approach to the topic of reality television transcends the usual narrative history as it captures key social commentary of programs unique to their time and place. Zackman’s voice is gently entertaining and always engaging, guiding listeners through this fascinating history of modern pop culture. (15.25 hrs; nb. not yet available in the UK)"
Ta-Nehisi Coates · 2024 · Buy on Amazon
"Author Ta-Nehisi Coates narrates this must-listen, a powerful and thought-provoking collection of essays. Coates frequently addresses listeners in the second person, a technique that creates an intimate connection to his words. This audiobook is a haunting, timely examination of global affairs and the importance of truth and inclusivity in our culture. (5.25 hrs)"
Michele Norris · Buy on Amazon
"Peabody Award-winning journalist Michele Norris and a full cast deliver a must-listen performance of Norris’s riveting examination of race in America. Based on 12 years of submissions to Norris’s Race Card Project—six words about race from over half-a-million people—the audiobook shifts between Norris’s clear, warm, thoughtful commentary and participants’ contributions, all delivered by a talented group of narrators. (17.75 hrs)"
Mary Oliver · Buy on Amazon
"The best poets get that way because they have given a great deal of thought to questions such as: “What is poetry?” “How does it get that way?” Mary Oliver was one of those best poets, and in this audio version of her classic work about how to write and read poetry she offers some answers, both detailed and expansive, to John Ciardi’s classic question: “How does a poem mean?” Kimberly Farr’s performance is wonderful, as witty and wise as the text. (3.5 hrs)"
Frederik Pferdt · Buy on Amazon
"Narrating this cutting-edge guide to personal growth and initiative, Sean Pratt captures every bit of the author’s enthusiasm for the lessons he learned while leading an innovation team at Google. Pratt’s tone and intensity sync perfectly with the author’s stories and insights. (7 hrs) Throughout December, AudioFile editors will be focusing on the best books in different categories in their ‘Behind the Mic’ podcast , starting with fiction on December 5th."
The Best History & Nonfiction Audiobooks of 2025 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-12-10).
Source: fivebooks.com
Rick Atkinson · Buy on Amazon
"Author and narrator are both at their best here. Few accounts of the great struggle for independence are so fully and vividly recounted, or so penetrating. Washington is the dominating figure, always admirable, but on a human scale, with his share of shortcomings and pretensions. Lafayette, Arnold, even John Hancock—the dusty names step out of the shadows and down from their pedestals. Golden Voice Gardner’s flawless delivery marks this as one of the year’s hallmark listening experiences. (32.5 hours)"
Jill Lepore · Buy on Amazon
"The U.S. Constitution is under threat, but it has a self-contained aspect that can right the ship of state if only we will let it: the amendment process. Harvard historian Jill Lepore contends the country’s guiding document was not born fully developed and shouldn’t be treated as a static entity. It’s like the best of college lectures—clear and well structured. Lepore’s pace makes it easy for listeners to absorb her main points and to appreciate the bits of humor and colorful historical tidbits that enliven her text. (24 hours)"
Stephen Greenblatt · Buy on Amazon
"Author Greenblatt and Golden Voice Edoardo Ballerini match well in this insightful biography of Shakespeare’s predecessor and early model, playwright Christopher Marlowe. Little is known for certain about Marlowe’s life, or more mysteriously, his murder at age 29. His sparse biography is fleshed out and enriched by a marvelous evocation of Elizabethan theater before and during his brief career—and his impact on a string of his contemporaries, particularly Shakespeare . (9.75 hours)"
Kevin Sack · Buy on Amazon
"William DeMeritt’s commanding performance is the perfect complement to Kevin Sack’s tenth anniversary tribute to the 9 slaughtered members of Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME Church. This work is also a tribute to the rich and inspiring story of the Black church in America—a story laden with hope and hardship. This masterful history of endurance is brought forth by DeMeritt with somber resonance and emotional intensity. (15 horus)"
Eve L. Ewing · Buy on Amazon
"Kudos to the author, publisher, and narrator of this audiobook. Author Ewing delivers her introduction, which sets up the arguments. She then turns the body of the text over to Golden Voice narrator Robin Miles. Miles is a gifted performer whose tone, tempo, and cadence enhance the dark truths of this provocative work. Ewing, who is a scholar and poet, indicts American schools as historically rigged against Black and Native American students. (12.25 hours)"
Alton Brown · Buy on Amazon
"Add ‘outstanding audiobook narrator’ to Brown’s impressive resumé. He performs his ‘essays and ruminations’ smoothly and wittily. His range of interests is expansive: blue crab (eat the soft shell variety), martinis (be wary of ice), Japanese cuisine (seek it out), and more. But it’s his funny and quirky opinions that stay with the listener. A master of the bon mot, he tells stories creatively with an excellent pace and tone. (7 hours)"
The Best Romance Audiobooks of 2024 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-01-12).
Source: fivebooks.com
Emma Lord · Buy on Amazon
"Natalie Naudus narrates this delightful romantic comedy with confidence. Naudus navigates the emotional and comedic narrative with impeccable timing, skillfully capturing the essence of each character without disrupting the seamless pacing. Her ability to convey the perfect tones through her intonation enhances the charm of the story (9.25 hrs)"
Abby Jimenez · Buy on Amazon
"Fans of the author will welcome back familiar narrators Christine Lakin and Zachary Webber in this stand-alone rom-com. Every woman Justin dates finds her soulmate immediately after they break up. Emma is similarly cursed. The two decide to “fake date” in the hope that their curses will cancel each other out. (11.75 hrs)"
Kristen Ashley · Buy on Amazon
"Narrator Stella Bloom faithfully re-creates the joy, peril, and humor in Kristen Ashley’s series opener. Raye investigates potential crimes in Phoenix, and Bloom deftly balances Raye’s sense of humor with the dark events that push her to fight injustice. Ashley’s story has several emotional peaks, and Bloom hits them all with sensitivity and solid pacing. (11.25 hours)"
Jenn McKinlay · Buy on Amazon
"Brittany Pressley’s narration is exceptional in this heartwarming Irish story. Pressley’s Irish accent is outstanding; she smoothly transitions between accents and male and female voices, along with giving each character a distinct timbre and cadence that matches their personality. Pressley also intensifies and softens her tone with perfect timing. (9.75 hrs)"
India Holton · Buy on Amazon
"Elizabeth Knowelden will capture listeners’ hearts with her charming performance. Rival ornithologists are on the hunt for the death whistler bird, one of the rare jewels in birding. Knowelden’s performance is so charismatic and detailed that listeners will laugh at every scoff and playful jab. With its winning romantic payoff, this performance is a crown jewel. (10.25 hrs)"
Casey McQuiston · Buy on Amazon
"This tour de force of accents and vocal work is a testament to narrators Emma Galvin and Max Meyers’s skills. Any scene can require a half dozen international accents belonging to characters with varying moods and personalities. A true feast of vocal work and culinary descriptions! (14.25 hrs)"
The Best Romance Audiobooks of 2025 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-12-13).
Source: fivebooks.com
Emily Henry · Buy on Amazon
"Golden Voice narrator Julia Whelan delights listeners with this heartfelt contemporary romance. Alice Scott is optimistic about her writing—always hoping for a big break. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Hayden Anderson is a grumpy enigma. Both find themselves on Little Crescent Island for the same reason: They’re competing to write the biography of an elusive heiress, the daughter of one of the most scandalous families of the twentieth century, whom no one has actually seen in years. (12 hours)"
Lauren Palphreyman · Buy on Amazon
"Duet narrators Zara Hampton-Brown and Shane East pair well together in this romantasy set in an alternative Scotland. Princess Aurora rejects a loveless betrothal in England, instead making a pact with a Scottish clan leader who is a wolf changeling. Hampton-Brown and East build the political stakes and the undeniable passion between the two, making their love story a wild ride. (12 hours)"
Jane Austen · Buy on Amazon
"An emotive full-cast adaptation of Jane Austen’s most famous novel ranges from stellar narrative performances to Bridgerton -esque laughter and sighs. There are no weak performances here, with Darcy (Harris Dickinson), Lizzy (Marisa Abela), her parents (Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Bill Nighy), and Lady Catherine (Glenn Close) especially owning Austen’s spirit. While the adaptation makes changes in dialogue that simplify or modernize Austen’s beloved work, there’s an intriguing something here that’s not to be missed. (4.5 hours)"
Abby Jimenez · Buy on Amazon
"Narrators Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter deliver a heartbreaking and uplifting duet narration featuring a geographically challenged couple. Samantha, a marketing rep of mustard, and Xavier, a surly veterinarian, spend their first date locked overnight in an escape room. Shortly after, Samantha goes to California to care for her mother, who has dementia. Lakin communicates a natural, deeply felt empathy for Samantha’s impossible family situation. She also sells the sweet quality of the long-distance romance. Lanter’s clipped sentences depict Xavier’s protective layers and his willingness to do anything for Samantha. (10 hours)"
Elena Malisova & Kateryna Sylvanova · Buy on Amazon
"Edoardo Ballerini’s moving narration takes listeners to a 1980s Russian patriotic children’s camp to meet sweet-natured 16-year-old counselor Yury and novice 19-year-old theater director Volodya. Ballerini captures each man’s reactions as each begins to feel an attraction that’s both thrilling and horrifying. When Volodya and Yury bury a time capsule filled with camp memories—hoping to meet again—Ballerini expertly alternates their younger and older voices. (16.5 hours)"
Lucy Parker · Buy on Amazon
"Fans of Bridgerton will devour this audio-only contemporary romance narrated by screen actors Nicola Coughlan and Gwilym Lee. Hattie Murton, reluctant star of the fictional TV show Leicester Square , lives her worst nightmare when the screenwriters create a love arc for her with her unpleasant co-star, Anthony Rafe. Coughlan channels Hattie’s underdog quality, and her knowledge of on-set antics comes across in her light, swift reading. Lee’s deep voice chips away at Anthony’s impenetrable facade to reveal his long-held interest in Hattie. (10.25 hours)"
The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Audiobooks of 2024 (2025)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2025-01-15).
Source: fivebooks.com
M.L. Wang · Buy on Amazon
"Narrator Moira Quirk shines in this dark academic fantasy, which explores the ripple effects of colonization. Quirk delivers a stand-out performance, bringing immersive emotion to every scene. This is a story about how revolutions arise, and Quirk is the perfect leader. (15.5 hrs)"
Iris Beaglehole · Buy on Amazon
"Bizarre things keep happening to 60-ish Delia Spark. She travels to remote Myrtlewood, where she meets a strange group of older women. Witches? A magical mafia? Delia’s adventures are fast and outrageous, some psychedelic and some painfully real, and Bethan Dixon Bate makes this delightful audiobook choice listening. (8.25 hours)"
James S. A. Corey · Buy on Amazon
"Stellar narrator Jefferson Mays and bestselling author James S.A. Corey are in warp drive as they launch the first book of a planned trilogy set in the far future. The narration matches the action; conversations are realistic; personalities are vibrant and distinct. Add Mays’s crystalline enunciation and agreeable timbre—and this is a winner. (15 hours)"
Emily Hamilton · Buy on Amazon
"Vico Ortiz narrates a raucous space adventure rom-com with infectious energy. It’s 2061, and Cleo and her three best friends—all scientists—sneak aboard to explore a neglected rocket. Ortiz’s considerable acting talents bring each character—human and otherwise—to life. They bounce between each voice with skill, especially shining in scenes packed with banter. (11.5 hours)"
Katherine Arden · Buy on Amazon
"January LaVoy and Michael Crouch perform this historical novel with a supernatural twist. Laura is a nurse who has recently returned from a WWI battlefield to her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia; her brother, Freddie, has gone missing in the cold, wet trenches of Belgium. LaVoy’s and Crouch’s deeply moving and captivating performances work together to create a must-listen audiobook. (11.5 hours)"
Veronica Roth · Buy on Amazon
"Helen Laser, James Fouhey, and Tim Campbell bring depth to their performances of a trio seeking an audience with the legendary witch Baba Jaga. The world-building, based on Polish folklore, in modern Chicago is epic. This explosively addictive dark fairy tale examining cultural heritage makes for an engaging listening experience. (4.5 hours)"
The Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Audiobooks of 2025 (2026)
Scraped from fivebooks.com (2026-01-04).
Source: fivebooks.com
Nnedi Okorafor · Buy on Amazon
"Liz Femi is the primary narrator of this meta-narrative about a paraplegic Nigerian American woman and her unexpected rise to fame. Suddenly unemployed, Zelu risks writing a novel unlike any she’s ever written before, a futuristic sci-fi epic about androids who exist after humanity becomes extinct. Femi’s distinct voices complement each character’s personality, thoroughly enriching this audiobook. (16.25 hrs)"
Khan Wong · Buy on Amazon
"Eunice Wong does an outstanding job of narrating this combination of dystopian fantasy, historical fiction, and sci-fi. She captures the atmosphere of each of the three timelines, and the result is an intimate, thought-provoking performance. Wong establishes distinct personalities for the three main characters, as well as supporting characters within each timeline. She conveys the characters’ emotions with no extra drama, which gives them a feeling of authenticity. (11.25 hrs)"
Natasha Pulley · Buy on Amazon
"Sid Sagar immediately draws listeners into this riveting novel, set in ancient Thebes. Phaidros is a soldier who was raised to fight. Now he’s in his 30s, lonely and grieving the loss of his sworn companion. When chaotic things begin to happen in Thebes—singing, dancing, and an explosion of wild nature, even though the city is suffering from a terrible drought—Phaidros finds himself caught up in political machinations and caught in the orbit of a compelling witch healer named Dionysus. (16 hrs)"
R. F. Kuang · Buy on Amazon
"Morag Sims and Will Watt provide fittingly erudite performances of this layered audiobook. Cambridge is home to a top-tier academic Magick program. When an esteemed professor is killed, star graduate students Alice and Peter embark on a quest to rescue him from hell. The satire on higher education is rich, yet the larger themes about one’s purpose and ideas are gripping. Sims captures studious yet vulnerable Alice, while Watt provides a foil in Peter, an academic star with secrets. (18.5 hrs)"
Antonia Hodgson · Buy on Amazon
"Narrator Daphne Kouma wows in this epic fantasy/murder mystery/political thriller. In a society built around eight powerful animal spirits, a new emperor is chosen every 24 years when those vying for the throne compete in a series of trials. When the Raven palace’s contender is found dead, scholar Neema Kraa finds herself simultaneously taking her place in the trials and investigating her murder. It’s a wonderfully immersive and satisfying performance of a richly imagined novel. (24 hrs)"
Megan Barnard · Buy on Amazon
"Aoife McMahon and Aidan Kelly manifest a pantheon of Irish gods in this enchanting story of family and loss. After killing dozens with a never-ending frost, Cailleach is forced to live multiple lives to learn the responsibility of godhood. McMahon’s stunning narration reveals the fierce regality of the mother goddess Danu and the ever-growing maturity of Cailleach. While the story centers the divine, it’s really about human grief and the love that makes loss worth enduring. (9 hrs)"