The 10 Best Audiobooks I've Listened To (Out of Hundreds)
I read about 50-75 audiobooks per year, for a grand total of 500+ audiobooks. I narrowed it down to my ten favorites for you based not just on the content, but also the audio experience.
Hi Friday night readers,
I… am an autumn. And a ride or die for audiobooks.
First: the autumn we experienced this weekend here in Philly at our beautiful Longwood Gardens. At one point, my husband said, “This is a Gilmore moment.” But, really, it’s all a blessing, beginning with the fresh air. As Taylor Doose said, “Breathe in deep, folks. Smells like fall.”
Next: Let’s talk about my long-term love affair with audiobooks. They are what got me back into reading when I had long commutes. They help me multitask and get through tedious chores and tasks. They provide accessibility when I can’t physically read. They help me get through hard books, like the classics on our Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge. And they keep me company.
There’s this debate that will just never die: do audiobooks count? I always answer, “for what?” Who are we worried about pleasing in our reading lives, other than ourselves?
Yes, I’ve seen and heard all the arguments against audiobooks, but I don’t care. How do you do when it comes to reading?
Whether you:
Have trouble learning
Have trouble seeing
Can’t access a physical book
Or just plain old want to read this way…
Then, do it.
I read about 50-75 audiobooks per year, for a grand total of 500+. I narrowed it down to my ten favorites for you, which happen to split nicely into fiction and nonfiction. I focused not just on the content's quality, but also on the audio experience when making some tough decisions.
Stick around until the end because I also share where I get my audiobooks and a few of my best tips!
The Audiobooks I Wish I Could Hear For the First Time Again
Fiction
Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid:
This extremely popular book (and Amazon Prime adaptation) is a “rockumentary” loosely based on the story of Fleetwood Mac, a 1970s rock band. Since it’s told in documentary style through dialogue from interviews of the characters across many decades, the audiobook (narrated by a full cast) really brings it to life. Trust me, I read the book both ways.
Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry:
This play is about the complicated, yet beautiful decades-long friendship between an elderly Jewish woman and her Black driver in mid-century Atlanta. The abundance of dialogue lends well to the audiobook format. The Audible version is exquisitely narrated by the incomparable James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury. They are national treasures, and their unmatched talent shows here. It’s become a favorite amongst us readers of the Gilmore Girls book list.
The Dutch House by Ann Patchett:
In this Pulitzer Prize finalist, the lives of the Conroy family are forever changed when they move into “The Dutch House,” just outside of Philadelphia. Without spoiling any storylines, Maeve essentially takes on a motherly role to Danny as they live through decades of life’s ups and downs, occasionally returning to this house. It was a 2020 Audie finalist for audiobook of the year and best male narrator— Tom Hanks. His friendly voice blended with her sublime writing actually gave me chills.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas:
Aside from its many awards, including being readers’ Goodreads Choice Awards winner for “Best of the Best” book, this Young Adult Black Lives Matter book is narrated on audio so well that it feels like a movie. The voices of bold, coming-of-age Starr and her politically active father feel alive, which gives the reader a unique sense of empathy.
Nonfiction
Educated by Tara Westover:
This award-winning memoir is by a woman raised in the mountains within a survivalist family. She began educating herself as a teen and first set foot in a classroom as a college student. She later studied at Harvard. It earns its place here based on shock value and then some. This book is a jaw-dropper in Westover’s own voice, and years later, it’s one of the few books I still think about regularly.
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey:
When I tell you I was laughing out loud to myself in an airport! Here, the famous actor shares his very colorful life stories, and it’s an absolute hoot. McConaughey is the quintessential storyteller—he’s “that” person at the center of every room, entertaining at every turn and eliciting laughs as he shares his most memorable tales in a voice that is uniquely his own. His creativity is off the charts, and I’ll forever hear these stories in his voice. It’s probably the audiobook I recommend most often because it’s universally appealing. I absolutely wouldn’t recommend reading it any other way.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller:
This is the memoir of the Stanford sexual assault victim, who gained notoriety when her victim impact statement went viral. She settles for nothing less than making you question everything you thought you knew about sexual assault. Her spoken words, as a victim, offer an especially persuasive argument, with power you may not get from the words alone.
The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff:
This 2020 Audiobook of the Year and Multi-Voiced Performance Audie Awards winner about September 11, 2001, is a minute-by-minute breakdown told entirely through the dialogue of five hundred people and real snippets from the day. It’s the most thoroughly researched and curated book I have ever read. It’s breathtaking, emotional, raw, and real, feeling more like a podcast or documentary than a book. The audio, especially, educates about the historical impact of this date with the special reverence it deserves.
Open Book by Jessica Simpson:
You may have heard readers say they felt like Jessica Simpson was their best friend after listening to her audiobook, and that’s because it’s true. Through no-holds-barred writing, she dives deep into her marriage and divorce to Nick Lachey, as well as so many other bombshells, including addiction, sexual abuse, and speculation about her weight. And in her voice, you truly can feel her heart. The cherry on this audiobook sundae is that she sings several songs at the end.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi:
This Pulitzer Prize finalist was the first audiobook I ever listened to, and it got me hooked forever. A 36-year-old neurosurgeon diagnosed with terminal cancer philosophically questions the meaning of life in the face of his own mortality. On audio, it’s actually as breathtaking as the title suggests.
Where I Get Audiobooks
As I mentioned, I read several audiobooks a month. Here’s my strategy:
The Library: I pretty much always start at the library. I place tags on new titles I’m interested in, so I can put them on hold/borrow them as soon as my library adds them. And old books are often available without a wait!
Audible: I like Audible for its “Originals” and books I can’t find elsewhere. I love how they have famous actors narrate the classics for our Gilmore Girls-inspired book club because it makes them so much easier and more immersive. (Holiday special: $0.99/month for the first 3 months of Audible Premium Plus!)
Libro.fm: When I want to maintain an audiobook subscription, I choose Libro.fm because they support independent bookstores and because their credits don’t expire. (Get three audiobooks for the price of one when you start a new one-credit per month membership with code FRIDAY.)
Amazon Music/Spotify: Sometimes, especially when there’s a deal, I maintain music memberships, which now come with audiobook credits (1 for Amazon)/hours (15 for Spotify).
A Few Audiobook Tips
Find a narrator(s) you love, then dive deep. Many/most avid readers agree that Julia Whelan is the best choice. She narrates Kristin Hannah, Emily Henry, etc. Full casts and famous actors, as well as bonus content, are also excellent choices.
Play with the speed to figure out what feels best for you, and don’t be afraid to adjust for different books! I usually do at least 2.0 as I’m more adjusted to fast talking than slow talking at this point. (I’m a Gilmore!)
Try reading AND listening at the same time for an immersive experience. This especially helps with big, hard books!
Final Thoughts
If you’re still trying to make some audiobook decisions, start at your local library, where there’s no financial risk for you, and give my top two favorites a shot: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (fiction) and The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff (nonfiction).
If you’re in our Gilmore Girls book club, though, you can’t miss the Audible version of Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry. It’s the ONE recommendation our readers most often thank me for!
Lastly, if you just want to have fun, go for Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey.
What’s your favorite audiobook from this list or otherwise?
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Almost half the books I read are audiobooks. My favorite so far this year is Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid! It gave me chills.
Lots of overlap faves! Memoirs are a must on audio, just so delightful and engaging to hear from the mouth of the author. Only Plane in the Sky is a must! And Dutch House was soooo cozy with Tom Hanks!