Top 10 Audiobook Recommendations for Beginners
Audiobooks can be a tremendous way to experience a story. Sometimes, a book can even be elevated by the auditory performance of the narration and provide an experience that can’t be replicated through more traditional reading methods such as through digital or physical written words. Thanks to the easy access provided by Libby through my local library, I’ve fallen in love with audiobooks and regularly listen to them on my long walks with my dog or while traveling. If you’re interested in getting into audiobooks, here are my top ten personal favorite audiobooks of all time (as of August 2023) to help you step into the practice and give you ideas on your next read!
If you want to read more about the Libby library app compared to Audible, you can check out my blog post about it right here: Pros and Cons of Libby: The Free Library Audiobook App
Sadie by Courtney Summers
This book is always my go-to audiobook recommendation and my top choice when outlining examples of how a story is elevated through the audiobook format. Sadie is a young adult thriller following the disappearance of the titular character Sadie in the vein of Gone Girl and I truly believe the best format to enjoy this novel is through audiobook. The story is told through a dual perspective with a full cast between Sadie as she searches for her missing sister and a podcast host as he follows Sadie’s trail in his investigation into her case. The podcast aspect really makes the audiobook format the superior reading experience and really offers a riveting experience where you as the reader get to feel like you’re truly experiencing the mystery firsthand in between the dramatic irony of the podcast host’s understanding of the disappearance and what is actually occurring in Sadie’s perspective. If you’re trying to get into audiobooks, this is a great introduction into the format and enjoying an audio experience of a story over the physical or digital written words.
Bloodline by Claudia Gray
If you’re a Star Wars fan, Bloodline by Claudia Gray is a must read as an audiobook. This was not only my first audiobook ever, but it was actually the audiobook that sold me on reading Star Wars novels almost solely through audio and also sold me on Claudia Gray being an auto-buy author for me for a very long time. Bloodline follows Leia Organa in the aftermath of the fall of the Empire post-Return of the Jedi as the galaxy discovers her true heritage as Darth Vader’s daughter. Not only is the story incredibly compelling with much love given to all of the characters, but the audiobook is produced with the full Star Wars soundtrack and sound effects. This book is so good that even Hank Green accepted my recommendation for it when he asked for audiobook reccs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Maddness22/status/825922588501213184
Also if you’re a Star Wars fan, you should definitely be reading Claudia Gray. She is the queen of modern Star Wars novels and shows so much love for all of our beloved characters and storylines.
Yes, Please by Amy Poehler
Regarding celebrity memoirs, Amy Poehler’s Yes, Please is one of the most compelling and also legitimately funny iterations available in the world at this time. While it hasn’t aged incredibly well since its original 2014 publication (the sections praising Louis C.K. are particularly jarring to read nowadays), the audiobook remains a delight. Poehler narrates the majority of her book with her usual charming demeanor and also brings in celebrity guest stars who even add content compared to the original book with their own anecdotes and interactions with Poehler. Seth Meyer in particular has a full new conversation with Poehler that matches their friendship perfectly and is incredibly entertaining for readers. If you want a funny and delightful listen for your next audiobook, you can’t go wrong with Amy Poehler’s Yes, Please that will also make you feel something among all of the laughs.
The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer
I’m not going to lie - if I didn’t listen to this series via audiobook, I don’t think I would’ve ever finished it. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer is a four book epic young adult fantasy series that places fairy tales in a sci-fi dystopia ruled by an evil Lunar queen. While the series is only narrated by a single narrator, Rebecca Soler goes above and beyond with her compelling narration featuring a massive cast and complicated plot. Her voice is the perfect match to take readers on the fantastical journey across all four novels and I’ve actually been listening to audiobooks solely because I see that she narrates them, including the biggest book of the year Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. If you’re seeking an incredibly well done and compelling adventure for your next audiobook, definitely give The Lunar Chronicles a try although, as a fair warning, the last book is an easy 24 hours to listen to.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
This young adult contemporary is not only sheer soft poetry as it follows the complicated relationship between Ari and Dante, but the audiobook is narrated by the one and only Lin-Manuel Miranda. Yes there is the occasional singing involved, but the Hamilton writer and star does an excellent job conveying the soft atmosphere of this young adult LGBTQIA+ novel featuring a mostly Hispanic cast. Personally, I found that his voice for Gina was hilarious but he does a great job narrating the rest of the cast as well and really selling the emotional impact of the story to the reader. I honestly only listened to this book for his narration and highly recommend the same for other Hamilton fans exploring audiobooks as a format as well.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
You guys already know how much I love this cozy low stakes adult fantasy from my 7 Wholesome LGBTQIA+ Books to Fill Your TBR list but I’ll say it again: this book is incredible. It is so fun and wholesome as it follows Viv, a half-orc ex-adventurer, as she attempts to establish a coffeeshop in her fantasy world. The audiobook is also tremendous as it is read by the author who happens to be a professional audiobook narrator by trade. Travis Baldree’s incredible talent shines as he very lovingly narrates the book as he intended it, giving voice to his tremendous cast of characters and carrying the plot with the same cozy atmosphere offered by the physical and digital reads. Speaking from experience, it is an incredible vibe to listen to this audiobook while on a walk in the rain. Just be sure to make some cozy hot coco or coffee afterwards!
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Another audiobook read by the author, Neil Gaiman’s narration is perfect for his young adult (question mark?) fantasy following Tristran Thorn as he travels a fairy land to capture a star for his beloved. I also attempted to listen to American Gods which was also narrated by Gaiman, but found his peppy voice to be jarring for the dark material of the adult fantasy novel. This audiobook matches the mood provided by his voice much better with its lighthearted adventures, somewhat dim-witted hero, and his tendency to provide silly voices for his more fantastical characters. After experiencing this very fun and quick audiobook, I would absolutely listen to Neil Gaiman read more children’s books.
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez
This was a random find for me based on my available Libby books and I was immediately delighted by this young adult coming of age contemporary following Julia in the wake of her older sister’s unexpected death as she navigates her Mexican heritage in her American life. The audiobook narrator Kyla Garcia does an incredible job narrating the complicated thoughts of a teenage girl and truly immerses you in Julia’s world with how a teenager would experience it. The book itself is a well written exploration of the complexities of grief, family, and growing up in between two worlds with different ideals as well so really you can’t go wrong with this audiobook either way.
Crazy Rich Asians trilogy by Kevin Kwan
What’s more fun than following the drama of an ultra, beyond imagination rich family across three adult contemporary novels? That’s right - listening to said drama through audiobooks. For some reason, I really had so much fun just listening to the antics of this fictional dynasty as they listed off various incredibly rich activities that I’ll never partake in. These books are perfect in audio format. The plot doesn’t need to be actively paid attention to in order to get the gist of the misadventures and it’s easy to throw these audiobooks on in the car as you run errands. It’s just a very fun time and the drama remains jaw-dropping in audio form.
Anything by Nick Offerman
The Parks and Recreations star has written a variety of books across multiple topics, mostly memoir in nature. But regardless of what Nick Offerman has written, I’ve always enjoyed his deep voice and confident narrations of his work. His voice is both incredibly compelling and relaxing to listen to. He could read a grocery list and I’d probably borrow that audiobook from the library too, but luckily his writing is typically more exciting than groceries. He writes about politics, child-rearing, his love story with Megan Mulaney, his blue collar upbringing, and carpentry among other life topics across his five books and I’ve enjoyed all of them immensely in audio form. If you force me to choose my favorite out of the five, I think I really enjoyed the dual perspectives of The Greatest Love Story Ever Told where his wife Megan Mulaney also narrates and you get to listen to their hilarious couple banter discuss their relationship in real time.