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40 of the best audiobooks on Audible to listen to now

Looking for you latest spoken-word listen? Here are our top picks.

• Radio Times Staff
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If you love reading, but you find you never have enough free time to curl up with a book, then an audiobook is the perfect solution. Keeping your hands and eyes free to get on with other tasks, they are the perfect accompaniment to commutes, housework, exercising or even drifting off to sleep.

Leading the audiobook revolution is Amazon's Audible, a service that boasts a vast catalogue of classics, new releases, cult favourites and best-sellers. These have all been given the audiobook treated — and are often narrated by the authors themselves. You're certainly not short on choice, when looking through titles on Audible.

So, in order to nudge you in the right direction, we've put together a list of our favourite audiobooks on Audible — which are all available to buy and stream now. We've including a range of fiction, memoir, drama, crime, comedy and plenty more besides, and we're confident that you'll see something that takes your fancy.

Although Audible is first and foremost a subscription service, you can still pay for one-off audiobooks without subscribing — all we'll say is that it's far better value for money in the long run to pay for a monthly subscription. To find out more, don't miss our how does Audible work explainer. We've also picked out our favourite free podcasts on Audible too.

Check back for regular updates...

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By: Brit Bennett

Narrated by: Shayna Small

Length: 11 hours and 34 minutes

This story follows the intersecting lives of the twin Vignes sisters who run away from their small Southern black community in the US, at age 16. 10 years on, one sister has returned to live in their community while the other passes for white and gets married elsewhere, keeping her past a secret. The plot spans the 1950s to the 1990s across generations, as the sisters’ daughters’ own lives eventually intersect.

• Buy the audiobook for £17.49 from Amazon
• Free with a 30-day trial of Audible

Last Tang Standing

By: Lauren Ho

Narrated by: Catherine Ho

Length: 12 hours and 38 minutes

Andrea Tang has a top job as a lawyer, she lives in an affluent neighbourhood and has the perfect boyfriend. She has done everything a good Chinese daughter should have, but then things go wrong at work, she finds herself in debt and suddenly becomes the last single person in her family. Que meddling and match-making from everyone around her.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.58 from Amazon

Little Fires Everywhere

By: Celeste Ng

Narrated by: Jennifer Lim

Length: 11 hours and 27 minutes

If you aren’t already familiar with the book, you may have heard about the hit series Little Fires Everywhere starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. In Shaker Heights, Ohio, Elena Richardson lives a seemingly perfect suburban life. After renting a house to single mother Mia, the two women’s families become close until they find themselves on opposing sides of an adoption debate. Things unravel as Elena tries to dig into the secrets of Mia’s past.

Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race

By: Reni Eddo-Lodge

Narrated by: Reni Eddo-Lodge

Length: 5 hours and 53 minutes

Reni Eddo-Lodge’s best-selling book began as a viral blog post about how discussions of race and racism are often shut down by those unaffected by it. Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race explores what it is to be a person of colour in Britain and delves into issues around white privilege, black history, institutional racism and more.

From 25th May to 30th June 2020, Audible’s profits from this title and others on their anti-racism list will be donated to charities working against social inequality in the UK.

• Buy for £13.12 from Amazon

By: Marian Keyes

Narrated by: Marian Keyes

Length: 17 hours and 3 minutes

The three Casey brothers lead apparently glossy, successful lives with their wives and children, making up one big happy extended family. However, not everything is as it seems and when Cara, one of the brothers' wives, gets concussion she can’t help but spill out all their secrets.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.12 from Amazon

I Am Not Your Baby Mother

By: Candice Brathwaite

Narrated by: Candice Brathwaite

Length: 5 hours and 40 minutes

Candice Brathwaite began blogging about motherhood after she fell pregnant and found the parenting forums, magazines and other spaces were not diverse. I Am Not Your Baby Mother is a guide to life as a black mother from pregnancy through to starting school, navigating micro-aggression, unconscious bias and more at each stage.

• Buy the audiobook for £20.12 from Amazon

The Other Wife

By: Claire McGowan

Narrated by: Karen Cass

Length: 9 hours and 44 minutes

Pregnant and alone with her jealous husband, Suzi becomes fast friends with her new neighbour Nora. However, Suzi harbours a terrible secret and suspects Nora may know what it is. Meanwhile, Elle seems to have the perfect life. In reality, she’s killed before and will do it again if it means keeping hold of her husband. The strangers are brought together in a shocking event which will change all of their lives forever.

• Buy the audiobook for £24.05 from Amazon

What I Know for Sure

By: Oprah Winfrey

Narrated by: Oprah Winfrey

Length: 3 hours and 53 minutes

Oprah Winfrey has shared wisdom with readers in her O magazine column for 14 years. Now, her updated essays have been collated into this book and organised into themes such as gratitude, joy, connection and resilience. In this audiobook, Oprah Winfrey narrates her own words directly to listeners to impact nuggets of inspiration.

• Buy the audiobook for £9.62 from Amazon

A History of Britain in 21 Women

By: Jenni Murray

Narrated by: Jenni Murray

Length: 8 hours and 28 minutes

Journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Jenni Murray has combined the achievements of 21 influential women, to explain how each of them impacted different aspects of British history. The profiles include author Jane Austen, suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, designer Mary Quant, monarch Queen Elizabeth I and more.

• Buy the audiobook for £13.12 from Amazon

Girl, Woman, Other

By: Bernardine Evaristo

Narrated by: Anna-Maria Nabirye

Length: 11 hours and 7 minutes

Bernardine Evaristo’s best-selling Girl, Woman, Other won The Booker Prize in 2019. The plot follows the lives of 12 characters in Britain as they search for something missing from their lives. The stories take place at various points over the past 100 years and in different locations the length and breadth of the country.

• Buy the audiobook for £22.74 from Amazon

Normal People

By: Sally Rooney

Narrated by: Aoife McMahon

Length: 7 hours and 36 minutes

The multi-awarding winning novel from Sally Rooney, Normal People has been adapted into a hit TV series for BBC Three. Released as a box-set, the show had viewers across the country hooked. This audiobook of the original novel narrates the story of young couple Connell and Marianne who grew up in the same rural Irish town. We follow their relationship through university into life beyond as they grapple with love, privilege and life together.

• Buy the audiobook for £14.87 from Amazon

The Beekeeper of Aleppo

By: Christy Lefteri

Narrated by: Art Malik

Length: 8 hours and 37 minutes

When their home city is torn apart, beekeeper Nuri and his artist wife Afra must make a dangerous journey towards a new, uncertain future in Britain, to join Nuri’s cousin who teaches beekeeping to fellow refugees. Afra is now blind because of the horrors she has seen and the couple must fight to survive in a broken world and find their way back to each other again.

• Buy the audiobook for £32.37 from Amazon

Gotta Get Theroux This: My Life and Strange Times on Television

By: Louis Theroux

Narrated by: Louis Theroux

Length: 13 hours and 12 minutes

For more than two decades Louis Theroux has shone a light on distinctive characters and diverse pockets of society. Through TV interviews and his own documentary series, the journalist has forged an unexpectedly successful career as a journalist, which he reflects on with honesty and humour in his memoir. The audiobook adaptation is narrated by Theroux himself.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.24 from Amazon

The Family Upstairs

By: Lisa Jewell

Narrated by: Tamaryn Payne, Bea Holland, Dominic Thorburn

Length: 9 hours and 37 minutes

This crime thriller is set in a home in wealthy Chelsea, London. Three bodies lie on the kitchen floor and have been there for several days. Upstairs, a happy, well-fed baby lies awake in her cot. What happened in that house and who has been looking after the baby?

By: Michelle Obama Narrated by: Michelle Obama Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins

From growing up on the Southside of Chicago to balancing the demands of motherhood and work, this intimate and powerful memoir by the first African American First Lady of the United States tells the stories that helped shape Michelle Obama's journey and allowed her to create the most open and inclusive White House in American history.

• Buy the audiobook for £27.99 from Amazon

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

By: Mark Manson Narrated by: Roger Wayne Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins

"F*ck positivity" is the mantra Mark Manson preaches in his bestselling self-help guide, the ultimate antidote to today's culture of positive thinking. Not everyone is special, Manson tells us, and real-life doesn't award you a gold medal just for showing up — but by learning and accepting our own weaknesses and limitations, we can confront once-painful truths and learn true courage.

• Buy the audiobook for £20.29 from Amazon

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying

By: Marie Kondo Narrated by: Lucy Scott Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins

Have you mastered the KonMari method? Have you learnt how to 'spark joy' in your home and everyday life? Millions of people have attested to the life-changing impact of declutterer extraordinaire Marie Kondo, whose self-help guide on the power of tidying-up has transformed homes across the globe. The guide also promises to help you shed negative aspects of your life, even helping you to lose weight or end a bad relationship.

• Buy the audiobook for £15.75 from Amazon

A Game of Thrones

By: George RR Martin Narrated by: Roy Dotrice Length: 33 hrs and 45 mins

In the first book in George RR Martin's epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire (the inspiration behind HBO's hit TV series) Martin weaves together multiple sprawling storylines from across the fictional kingdom of Westeros. The battle for the Iron Throne spells intrigue, betrayal and bloodshed, and no character or family is safe from harm.

• Buy the audiobook for £23.62 from Amazon

Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection

By: Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry (introductions) Narrated by: Stephen Fry Length: 71 hrs and 57 mins

Stephen Fry lends his instantly-recognisable voice to Conan Doyle's equally recognisable hero, the eponymous private detective blessed with an altogether superior intellect and a flair for dramatics. The ultimate collection of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, including four novels and five short story collections, this includes Fry's personal introductions to each of the nine titles.

• Buy the audiobook from £69.99 from Amazon

Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square

By: Heidi Swain Narrated by: Karen Cass Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins

The perfect holiday read (or in this case, listen), bestselling author Heidi Swain's heart-warming stories are the ideal antidote to life's more humdrum realities. Swain's heroine Kate has run away to Norwich in an effort to escape her husband, but she soon finds herself drawn in to village life, where the arrival of developers could spell disaster to the locals' traditional way of life.

• Buy the audiobook for £12.59 from Amazon

This Is Going to Hurt

By: Adam Kay Narrated by: Adam Kay Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins

At turns a brutal, uncomfortable and hilarious listen, Adam Kay's secret diaries of his life as a junior doctor have proved a national phenomenon, providing an inside-look into birth, death and everything in-between on and off the hospital ward – and Kay spares the listener none of the grisly or (at times) nauseating details that once made up his working life.

• Buy the audiobook for £11.37 from Amazon

By: Yuval Noah Harari Narrated by: Derek Perkins Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins

Planet Earth has existed for 4.5 billion years, but in that time only one creature has managed to truly conquer and dominate the globe in the way that we, homo sapiens, have. Yuval Noah Harari offers a fascinating look into our history as a species, examining in detail mankind's journey from the Stone Age to the Silicon Age, before asking where we're headed in the years to come.

• Buy for £27.99 from Amazon

12 Rules for Life

By: Jordan B Peterson Narrated by: Jordan B Peterson Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins

Billed as an "antidote to chaos", clinical psychologist Jordan B Peterson (perhaps most widely know for his critiques of political correctness) explores how to find meaning in life, drawing from psychology, the Bible, philosophy, modern romantic relationships and mythology in order to create his 12-step guide to how to live not necessarily a happy life, but a deeply meaningful one.

• Buy the audiobook for £7.49 from Amazon

The Butterfly Effect

By: Jon Ronson Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins

Bestselling author Jon Ronson's podcast examines the butterfly effect: what happened when a Belgium teenager made porn free and easily accessible — and what the longterm consequences are. Ronson's other original podcast, The Last Days of August, is also available on Audible, as are his various books, including The Psychopath Test and The Men Who Stare at Goats.

• Regular price: £23.49

A Short History of Nearly Everything

By: Bill Bryson Narrated by: Bill Bryson Length: 5 hrs and 48 mins

How did we go from The Big Bang to civilisation? How did humans go from nothing at all to, well, something? How did time and space create us ? Bill Bryson sets out to discover the answers to all the big questions, from where the centre of the Earth is, to how continents have changed over the past millions of years and, with them, natural life as we know it.

• Buy the audiobook for £18.37 from Amazon

How to Win Friends & Influence People

By: Dale Carnegie Narrated by: Andrew MacMillan Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins

Published over 70 years ago, this iconic self-help book is still helping people to become more successful at life and in their careers. Dale Carnegie offers six techniques to make people like you, in addition to tips and tricks to help you bring others round to your way of thinking — all without provoking resentment. A quick listen of this will have you jumping off the Tube to go out and pursue your dream career.

• Buy the audiobook for £23 from Amazon

Terry Pratchett: BBC Radio Drama Collection

By: Terry Pratchett Narrated by: Ensemble cast, including Martin Jarvis, Sheila Hancock, and Anton Lesser Length: 13 hrs and 13 mins

If you missed out on BBC Radio 4's full-cast dramatisations of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels the first time around, never fear. Boasting a star-studded cast, this collection gathers together all six radio adaptations, which bring to life such classics as Mort, Night Watch, Guards! Guards! and Eric, in addition to bonus tale Only You Can Save Mankind, from the Johnny Maxwell series.

By: Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett Narrated by: Martin Jarvis Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins

Are you ready for Armageddon? The apocalypse will be happening next Saturday, but not if one unlikely celestial pairing (a Bentley-driving demon and a rather fussy angel) can help it. Veteran actor Martin Jarvis narrates Neil Gaiman and the late Terry Pratchett's brilliant fantasy novel.

Alan Partridge: Nomad

By: Alan Partridge Narrated by: Alan Partridge Length: 6 hrs and 2 mins

Alan Partridge's travel book, narrated by the man himself in his decidedly unique style, should come with a printed warning, as it's likely to cause uncontrollable snorts of laughter on the listener's commute. The comic character created by Steve Coogan turns 30 this year, so what better time to reacquaint yourself with the man, the myth, the legend that is Partridge?

By: Stephen Fry Narrated by: Stephen Fry Length: 15 hrs and 25 mins

Stephen Fry's epic retelling of the Greek myths covers everything from the start of the universe to the creation of the gods and monsters, right up until the age of heroes (for that, you'll have to listen to Fry's sequel, Heroes). From Zeus's battle to overthrow his despotic father and win the throne of Mount Olympus, to King Midas' fateful wish, Fry breathes new life into the classical myths.

Damned Spot

By: Audible Originals Length: 1 hr and 40 mins

When a tragic event occurs, thoughts go out to those immediately affected: victims, friends, and family. But what about the local residents and communities who live in the same area where the event occurred? This podcast revisits the sites where memories of death and upheaval are still keenly felt, and explores what it takes for a place — and its people — to recover.

By: Audible Originals Length: 8 hrs

Charting an unsolved real-life murder mystery that has gripped listeners the world over, West Cork recounts the hunt for Sophie Toscan du Plantier's killer, after the 39-year-old was found murdered just days before Christmas Day in 1996 near the town of Schull in West Cork, Ireland. Listeners are introduced to a host of characters and a potential prime suspect, and are guided throughout by investigative journalist Sam Bungey and documentarian Jennifer Forde.

The Path to Pride

By: Lance Bass, Nikki Levy, Frank DeCaro, Zeke Smith Length: 1 hr and 9 mins

Members of the the LGBTQ+ community gather in Los Angeles to share their unique stories about coming out in this hilarious and heartwarming listen. Stories range from kooky to hilarious, including that of a teenage pop star on the road with his (extremely devout) mother — but one thing that all the tales have in common is that they're bursting with Pride.

• Regular price: £2.79

By: Martyn Amos, Ra Page Length: 12 hrs and 30 mins

If you've friends or family at all interested in tech, chances are you will have heard of this Black Mirror-esque podcast, which brings together 38 scientists and authors (paired together) to imagine how technology will look, and how it will affect life, in 2070. From artificial haute cuisine to synthetically grown skyscrapers and dangerous video games, everything you've ever imagined possible and more is discussed.

• Regular price: £24.99

Genius Dialogues

By: Audible Originals, Bob Garfield Length: 7 hrs

What makes a genius a genius? How did Lin Manuel Miranda create Hamilton, and how did a trip to India inspire inventor Amy Smith? While The MacArthur Foundation awards its famous "genius grant" every year, who exactly are these scientists, artists and educators, and what have they done to merit the title 'genius'? Bob Garfield invites fellows in to discuss their life and careers, unpicking what events shaped them.

By: Jane Austen, Anna Lea (adaptation) Narrated by: Emma Thompson, Joanne Froggatt, Isabella Inchbald, Aisling Loftus, Joseph Millson, Morgana Robinson Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Narrated by Oscar-winner Emma Thompson (need we say more) and with a full supporting voice cast, this star-studded adaptation brings all of Austen's signature wit, acute observations and worldly wisdom to life. A comedy of manners, the story follows the wealthy and sheltered Emma Woodhouse who loves nothing more than matchmaking her neighbours.

• Regular price: £19.99

So You Want to Talk About Race

By: Ijeoma Oluo Narrated by: Bahni Turpin Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Narrated by Bahni Turpin, who you may know from her reading of Colson Whitehead's novel The Underground Railroad, this offers an accessible look at race in the US, tackling head-on the various issues that have dominated headlines and national discourse for decades, including race riots, the "N" word, police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

• Buy the audiobook for £18.98 from Amazon

For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides.

By: Tara Westover Narrated by: Julia Whelan Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Raised in a survivalist family in rural Idaho, Tara Westover didn't step foot into a classroom until she was 17-years-old — and yet she went on to receive a PhD from Cambridge University. A moving account of a violent, completely isolated childhood and one girl's quest for education, which would take Westover first to Harvard and then across the sea to Cambridge.

Girl, Wash Your Face

By: Rachel Hollis Narrated by: Rachel Hollis Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Ever thought that everyone around you has it figured out, and that you still haven't a clue? That's just one of the 20 lies that women tell themselves and that Rachel Hollis attempts to debunk. Unpacking strategies in how to move past everyday fears and misconceptions, Hollis challenges the listener to rethink the narratives that continue to hold us back.

• Buy the audiobook for £24.75 from Amazon

Jeff Wayne's The War of The Worlds: The Musical Drama

By: HG Wells, Jeff Wayne Narrated by: Michael Sheen, Taron Egerton, Theo James, Adrian Edmondson, Anna-Marie Wayne Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins

Narrated by Michael Sheen and featuring an all-star cast, including Divergent's Theo James and Kingsman: The Secret Service's Taron Egerton, HG Wells’ class sci-fi story gets an update with Jeff Wayne’s suspenseful score. First serialised in 1897, the dramatic story follows two brothers in London who witness an alien invasion in southern England.

Want to listening to your Audible downloads on decent audio? Don't miss our best smart speaker list - and be sure to check out our best Amazon Echo deals too.

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Best audiobooks 2020: the best fiction and non-fiction audiobooks you can buy.

• Alan Martin
• Jane Hoskyn

Don't let life get in the way of reading! We reveal the best audiobooks, whether you're a fantasy fan or biography bookworm

Once upon a time, all books were audiobooks. And just as your mum and dad once brought books to life at bedtime, today’s best audiobook narrators are magicians. Whether it’s Stephen Fry enthralling you with classic detective tales, Rocketman star Taron Egerton reading Elton John’s autobiography, or Peter Crouch recalling his football anecdotes, the right narrator breathes new life into even the best books.

Audiobook apps such as Audible have turned more people into readers than ever. Audiobook sales surged by 43% last year to £69 million in the UK alone – and printed book sales have also risen in recent years. Stories have never been so big.

So, as 2019 turns the page to 2020, we’ll celebrate by revealing the best audiobooks you can buy right now. First, here’s a guide for audio-curious bookworms.

READ NEXT: Audible review: The last word in audiobooks

How to find your perfect audiobook

Where do i buy audiobooks does it have to be amazon.

Amazon’s audiobooks app Audible is the best platform for managing your audiobooks. (To find out why, read our in-depth review .) All the audiobooks in our rundown can be played in the Audible app, which is free to download.

In our rundown, we link to Amazon itself rather than to Audible. This is because the Amazon page also includes CD and other formats where available. What’s more, Amazon’s one-off prices are marginally cheaper than Audible’s.

Sign up for a 30-day Audible trial now

Why are Amazon’s audiobook prices so high?

Yep, they’re ridiculously high (£70!), but you’re unlikely to have to pay them. Instead, use Audible credits. Audible’s £7.99 monthly subscription gives you one ‘credit’ per month, which generally equals one book. Your books are yours to keep forever, and you can roll over unused credits until they expire after 12 months.

Watch out though, because books can be vastly different lengths and they all cost the same: whether they’re one hour or 25. Be sure to check the length before you buy.

Where else can I find audiobooks?

Here are a few more audiobook libraries and stores worth looking at…

Penguin UK Audiobooks: Browse thousands of audiobooks from the legendary UK publisher, then click Buy Now to download via third-party stores, including Audible. We love the site’s videos of star narrators in the audiobook studio, including Elisabeth Moss reading The Handmaid’s Tale and Michael Sheen reading Philip Pullman’s The Book of Dust trilogy.

Downpour: Audible-style store and app with many of the same books as Audible. Either subscribe ($13/month) or buy one-off audiobooks, MP3s and downloads.

LibriVox Audio Books: 24,000+ completely free audiobooks to download and play via the free LibriVox app. You won’t find many A-list narrators here, but worth a try if you’re an adventurous reader who’s fed up paying for Audible.

Scribd Audiobooks: Unlimited audiobooks, ebooks and digital magazines – mostly US publications – for £8.99/month.

READ NEXT: How to nab TWO free audiobooks in Audible’s one-month free trial

The best audiobooks you can buy in 2020

1. sherlock holmes: the definitive collection by arthur conan doyle, read by stephen fry: best classic fiction audiobook.

Price: £70 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Stephen Fry has been a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes adventures since he was a boy, and that passion glows from every moment of his 72-hour reading of this glorious collection.

Fry really immerses you in Doyle’s twisty-turny detective stories, which include The Hound Of The Baskervilles and A Study In Scarlet. He’s particularly good at bringing characters to life with different voices, which stamp their identities on your imagination and help make sense of the unfolding plots.

Fry has also written his own insightful, personal introduction to each of the nine included volumes, and reads them with warmth, wit and wisdom.

Key specs – Length: 71 hours and 57 minutes; Publisher: Audible Studios; Released: 27 Feb 2017; Other digital formats: none

Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection

2. the secret commonwealth by philip pullman, read by michael sheen: best fantasy audiobook.

Price: £28 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Actor Michael Sheen is not only one of the world’s most listenable voices – think Richard Burton meets Doctor Who – but he’s also a master of accents and vocal tricks, making him the perfect choice of narrator for Philip Pullman’s latest book.

The Secret Commonwealth is the second part of The Book of Dust trilogy, picking up seven years after His Dark Materials. Heroine Lyra and her daemon Pantalaimon are drawn into a dangerous new world, brought to spine-tingling life by Sheen.

Sheen also narrates La Belle Sauvage, the first part of The Book of Dust . Pullman himself narrates the His Dark Materials audiobooks .

Key specs – Length: 19 hours and 43 minutes; Publisher: Penguin Audio; Released: 3 Oct 2019; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£13.33), Kindle (£10)

The Secret Commonwealth: The Book of Dust, Volume Two

3. the body: a guide for occupants by bill bryson, read by the author: best non-fiction audiobook.

Price: £17 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Bill Bryson has been around the world in 80 audiobooks, but he now explores lands closer to home. Much closer to home. In his journey around our body’s own physical and neurological map, Bryson unearths fascinating, often revolting and frequently hilarious facts, all delivered in his infectiously inquisitive US voice.

Bryson’s tones may be too soothing for the gym or while you’re trying to stay awake on the motorway, but for bedtime reading and long walks it’s spot on. There’s also an audiobook-exclusive section where people discuss the power of sound and voice.

Key specs – Length: 14 hours and 47 minutes; Publisher: Audible Studios; Released: 3 Oct 2019; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£58), Kindle (£10)

The Body: A Guide for Occupants

4. the testaments by margaret atwood, read by ann dowd: best award-winning modern fiction audiobook.

Ann Dowd, who did such a terrifyingly brilliant job of playing Aunt Lydia in Hulu/Channel 4’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale, takes top billing this time as she and two other actors (Bryce Dallas Howard and Mae Whitman) read that book’s sequel. The captivating result is arguably even more gripping than the print version, which won the 2019 Booker Prize.

The audiobook of  The Handmaid’s Tale , read by the adaptation’s star Elisabeth Moss, is also well worth downloading.

Key specs – Length: 13 hours and 18 minutes; Publisher: Penguin Audio; Released: 10 Sep 2019; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£14), Kindle (£10)

The Testaments

5. mortimer & whitehouse: gone fishing by bob mortimer and paul whitehouse, read by the authors: best comedy audiobook.

Price: £25 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Much-loved TV comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse entranced the nation when, after both being diagnosed with heart disease, they headed off on an angling expedition that was more chit-chat than fish-catch.

This TV show’s spin-off book works better as an audiobook than on the page. It feels like a natural extension of the show, and more intimate. In between the laugh out loud moments there are hours of engaging chat about life’s big questions, such as: How did we get so old? What are your favourite pocket meats? What should we do if we find a corpse?

Key specs – Length: 6 hours and 5 minutes; Publisher: Blink Publishing; Released: 30 May 2019; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£17), Kindle (£4)

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing

6. me by elton john, read by taron egerton: best biography audiobook.

Price: £12.24 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Elton himself introduces the audiobook of his autobiography – his audioautobiography, if you like – then narration duties are taken over by Taron Egerton, who played Elton in the hit movie Rocketman.

Good, because as great a singer as Elton is, his speaking voice is too raspy and monotone to hear for hours on end. By contrast, Egerton’s versatile delivery turns this occasionally hair-raising memoir into a rollercoaster treat. Just a shame there’s not more insight into the rock n’ roll among the sex, drugs and tantrums.

Key specs – Length: 11 hours and 47 minutes; Publisher: Macmillan; Released: 15 Oct 2019; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£15.37), Kindle (£12)

7. A Legacy Of Spies by John le Carré, read by Tom Hollander: Best spy thriller audiobook

Price: £17.50 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

John le Carre’s spy novels are spectacularly gripping but not the easiest stories to follow. His 2017 thriller – a prequel to 1963’s classic The Spy Who Came In From The Cold – is no exception, with pages and chapters that you find yourself having to re-read to figure out what’s going on.

No such problems with this audiobook, narrated by actor Tom Hollander, who starred in the BBC adaptation of another Le Carre novel, The Night Manager. Hollander’s deep, disquieting voice helps you distinguish between characters, remember names and places, and follow the story’s threads as it winds towards its conclusion.

Key specs – Length: 8 hours and 28 minutes; Publisher: Penguin Books; Released: 7 Sep 2017; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£19.25), Kindle (£5)

A Legacy of Spies

8. the order of time by carlo rovelli, read by benedict cumberbatch: best science audiobook.

Price: £15.74 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Benedict Cumberbatch reading a bedtime story about the meaning of time itself? Yes please. Rovelli’s book, which covers everything from the concept of nostalgia to Einstein and quantum theory, is elevated to sheer mesmeric delight by Cumberbatch’s velvet tones, which helped win it the 2018 National Book Award for best audiobook.

Key specs – Length: 4 hours and 18 minutes; Publisher: Penguin Books; Released: 26 April 2018; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£19), Kindle (£5)

The Order of Time: Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch

9. how to be a footballer by peter crouch, read by the author: best sports audiobook.

Price: £19.24 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Peter Crouch is famous for being good at football and very tall, but he’s also an incredibly engaging raconteur. No-one else could have narrated the audiobook of his memoir with quite such funny flair. You might find many of the stories familiar if you’re already a fan of his podcast, but he’s such good company that you may not mind hearing them again.

Key specs – Length: 7 hours and 36 minutes; Publisher: Random House Audiobooks; Released: 8 Nov 2018; Other digital formats: Kindle (£5)

How to Be a Footballer

10. how to be right by james o’brien, read by the author: best british politics audiobook.

James O’Brien’s bestseller How To Be Right is a vigorously readable spin-off from his daily LBC radio show. The book uses examples of callers phoning into the show to pick apart the prejudice and muddled thinking that explains Brexit Britain.

It works especially well as an audiobook, thanks to O’Brien’s unfailingly committed narration, with actors re-enacting the radio conversations. You may not like everything he says, but his logic, wit and intelligence are riveting.

Key specs – Length: 4 hours and 57 minutes; Publisher: Random House Audiobooks; Released: 1 Nov 2018; Other digital formats: Kindle (£5)

How to Be Right: ...in a world gone wrong

11. twas the nightshift before christmas by adam kay, read by the author: best short audiobook.

Price: £11.37 ( or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

In his new book, Adam Kay takes us behind the grisly scenes of hospitals at Christmas, where 1.4 million NHS staff will work through the festive season. Like Kay’s bestseller This Is Going To Hurt, it swings between being hilarious, heartbreaking and frightening, but it’s always a joy to listen to thanks to Kay’s deadpan delivery. At just over two hours, you can get through the whole lot while you digest your figgy pudding, hopefully without incident.

Key specs – Length: 2 hours and 20 minutes; Publisher: Picador; Released: 17 Oct 2019; Other digital formats: Kindle (£3)

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas

12. stay sexy and don’t get murdered by karen kilgariff and georgia hardstark, read by the authors: best self-help audiobook.

The hosts of true-crime comedy podcast My Favorite Murder turn the focus on their own lives in this confessional audiobook. Anyone who’s ever been through anything will find something here to relate to and learn from.

Karen and Georgia take it in turns to narrate, intimately recounting their individual stories of depression, eating disorders and addiction, and sharing their biggest mistakes and deepest fears. Some parts are recorded in front of a live audience, and it’s all done with very little self-pity and masses of sass.

Key specs – Length: 6 hours and 31 minutes; Publisher: Orion; Released: 30 May 2019; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£24.18), Kindle (£10)

Stay Sexy and Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide

13. the boy in the dress by david walliams, read by the author and matt lucas: best audiobook for children.

Price: £6.12 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

Comedian and actor David Walliams is now firmly established as one of the world’s leading children’s authors, but it’s only just over a decade since he published his first book, The Boy In The Dress. It’s loved by children and parents for its unpatronising sensitivity and uplifting escapism – and has many non-parent adult fans, too. This audiobook version is an absolute joy, elevated by brilliant vocal performances from Walliams and his Little Britain co-star Matt Lucas.

Key specs – Length: 2 hours and 23 minutes; Publisher: HarperCollins; Released: 4 Nov 2008; Other digital formats: Audio CD (£6.50), Kindle (£3)

The Boy in the Dress

14. the irishman by charles brandt, read by scott brick: best true-crime audiobook.

Price: £21.87 (or 1 Audible credit) | Buy now from Amazon

What happened to crime boss Jimmy Hoffa? And what did Mafia hitman Frank ‘The Irishman’ Sheeran know about it? This epic tale of organised crime in post-war America has been squeezed into a three-and-a-half-hour Netflix movie by Martin Scorsese, but even he had to leave out most of the details, so here audiobook actor extraordinaire Scott Brick fills in the grisly gaps by narrating the book that the film is based on. And it’s a helluva ride: grim, gritty and haunting. Don’t have nightmares.

Key specs – Length: 15 hours and 12 minutes; Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton; Released: 22 Sep 2016; Other digital formats: Kindle (£4)

The Irishman

15. how not to be a boy: best autobiographical audiobook.

Price:  £19.99 (or 1 Audible credit) |  Buy now from Amazon

Comedy performers’ memoirs aren’t always worth reading if you’re not a fan of the star in question, but Robert Webb’s book is an anomaly. As the title suggests, it sees the author questioning what it is to be both a boy and a man – and how it didn’t prepare him at all for the death of his mother when he was just 17 years old.

Webb critically examines the rules of manhood – don’t cry, don’t talk about your feelings, drink beer – and how they inevitably hurt everyone they touch, not just the men following the rules. It doesn’t hurt that the book is very funny, but that’s far from the main reason to pick it up.

Key specs – Length:  8 hours and 52 minutes;  Publisher:  Audible Studios;  Released:  29 Aug 2017;  Other digital formats:  Kindle (£5.03); free on Kindle Unlimited

How Not to Be a Boy

16. red notice, by bill browder, read by adam grupper: best real-life thriller.

Price:  £20.89 (or 1 Audible credit) |  Buy now from Amazon

The full title of this book is a lot more revealing about its contents – Red Notice: A True Story of Corruption, Murder and One Man’s Fight for Justice. 

This is a book that financier Bill Browder would no doubt rather have not written. Off the back of getting very rich in the post-Soviet Union privatisations, Browder made Vladimir Putin’s list of enemies. When Browder’s tax lawyer – Sergei Magnitsky – failed to sign a false confession, he eventually died in prison as the state failed to treat his pancreatitis. 

Browder’s revenge for his friend was ultimately a legal one: the Magnitsky Act freezes assets and suspends visas of officials from countries known to be guilty of human-rights offences, and is now law in the USA and Canada, with other nations set to follow. This book tells the whole story, and it’s a rollercoaster ride that’s well worth a listen.

Key specs – Length: 14 hours and 6 minutes; Publisher: Whole Story Audiobooks; Released: 9 Apr 2015; Other digital formats: Kindle (£5.99); Audio CD (£25.52)

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20 Audiobooks You Should Listen to Right Now

Run out of great podcasts to listen to? Looking for something a bit weightier? Audiobooks could be the perfect solution. Whether you're driving to work or wandering the streets, this selection will keep you entertained. With A-list actors providing the narration and a host of new productions of old favorites, there's never been a better time to start listening. Should you want to read actual pages, give WIRED's guides to the best sci-fi books and the best fantasy books a try.

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By Siddhartha Mukherjee

You may think a book subtitled “A Biography of Cancer” would not be the lightest of listens, and you would be right, but that doesn’t make it any less brilliant. Siddhartha Mukherjee‎ does a remarkable job of charting the history of this complex disease, weaving together the narrative with stories from his own experience as an oncologist. It’s a triumph precisely because it never loses sight of the people at the heart of the story: the researchers who pushed forward and found treatments in unusual places and the patients and their families who faced losing everything.

By Amit Katwala

Penned by WIRED's Amit Katwala, with spine-tingling narration by Matt Reeves, Tremors in the Blood tells the true story of two murders—one in San Francisco in 1922, the other in Chicago in 1935—and how they intersect with the creation of the polygraph machine. The book combines true crime elements, tense gunfights, and courtroom drama with science and history as it explores how the inventors of the lie detector—a rookie cop, a teenage magician, and a visionary police chief—ended up unleashing a power they couldn't control. 

By David Mitchell

Cloud Atlas is a difficult book to get through, there’s no doubt about that. But the beauty of audiobooks is that they make getting through such novels a breeze. Cloud Atlas spans a number of centuries and is told from the perspective of six interconnected characters. The tonal shift from flowery 19th-century prose to the incomprehensibly simplistic final chapter comes across beautifully in audio form. Best of all, each tale is read by a different narrator, bringing the book to life better than the novel's polarizing film adaptation ever could. 

By Lucy Foley

A modern murder mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie, The Hunting Party sees a group of friends—Londoners, Oxford graduates, just the worst people—heading up to a remote lodge in Scotland for their annual New Year’s Eve get-together. Things quickly take a dark turn, and with the lodge cut off from the outside world, it’s up to the place's only two staff members to piece together what happened, all while battling dark secrets of their own. It’s a fun, slightly ridiculous story—and you will probably hate some of the main players, but it works well for audiobook because the story switches between different characters, each with their own voice actor. Just don’t listen if you’re somewhere remote.

By Stephen Fry

Greek mythology can at times feel a little impenetrable. There are just too many gods, goddesses, and nymphs—all with countless stories of love, wrath, and revenge. Stephen Fry makes it easily digestible by picking out key events and adding dialogue to modernize them. Though your head will boggle at the complex family tree of the Greek deities, you’ll learn about the legends that inspired millennia of writers, from Shakespeare to Rick Riordan.

By Graham Greene

Set during the blitz, Graham Greene's classic novel is a semi-autobiographical account of an adulterous man's jealousy toward his lover. When she breaks off their tryst, he's consumed by insecurity and hires a private investigator, suspecting she is seeing someone else. It's based in no small part on a notorious affair Greene himself conducted with Catherine Walston, the wife of a prominent Labour MP. This real-life context and Greene's customary skill combine for one of his most highly regarded works. It's narrated expertly by Colin Firth, who is perfectly cast to voice the inner monologue and lamentable pettiness of Maurice Bendrix.

By Caitlin Moran

If you are a woman, you should have already read this book. But if you don't have time to read it right now, let Caitlin Moran do it for you. Her awkward, autobiographical account tackles hair removal, getting fat, tiny pants, and being one of too many siblings in a way that will leave you cringing one minute and laughing the next. 

By David Sedaris

If you're a fan of David Sedaris' previous books and podcasts, strap in: You're about to have (possibly) the best one-sided conversation of the year. But if you don't want to hoot with laughter on public transport, this is not the book for you. In Calypso , Sedaris delivers a barrage of sheer brilliance with his remarkably deadpan voice. A quest to feed his benign tumor to a snapping turtle; disastrous family gatherings at his dream holiday home, dubbed the Sea Section; and his wildly inappropriate compulsion to buy useless fashion (including a toilet brush hat)—all of these stories are here. Sedaris has built his essays on the weird and wonderful things of everyday life, but with Calypso he bravely exposes ugly flaws with the same panache as his finest quips. You'll walk away transformed.

By Anthony Daniels

Since Star Wars first premiered in 1977, millions of people have met, loved, and loathed the now-iconic golden droid C-3PO from a galaxy far, far away. Inside the minute hinges of C-3PO’s suffocatingly tight metal costume was Anthony Daniels, who acts as a soft-spoken guide with a unique backstage pass to the intricate world unveiled on screen. In a deeply personal account of the personalities behind the iconic movie series, Daniels unveils how he became an accidental star of the franchise, the pain and challenges of being trapped in a golden cage, and the friendships he made along the way. 

By Bill Bryson

Travelogue master Bill Bryson has retired to the library in recent years, and his gentle Midwestern tones are perfect for audiobooks. In his latest book, The Body , Bryson takes a characteristic approach familiar to his readers, unearthing fascinating, disgusting, and hilarious nuggets of information about our bodies. He explores everything from genetics to our immune system, all in a soothing voice that will keep you calm while you panic-Google various ailments.

By Adam Kay

This diary of life on the medical frontlines by junior-doctor-turned-comedian Adam Kay sold more than a million copies in print and shone a light on the chaotic and compassionate world of the UK's NHS. The audiobook is read by Kay—who first came to fame in the mid-2000s with a Tube-strike-inspired parody of “Going Underground” by The Jam that he made while part of comedic musical duo Amateur Transplants. The audio version includes extra diary entries about Kay's life in the hospital ward.

By Philip Pullman

The long-awaited follow-up to Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy shows the protagonist of those books, Lyra Belacqua, much earlier in life. The action of the first part of this new trilogy, The Book of Dust, follows Malcolm Polstead—an 11-year-old living on the outskirts of Oxford—as he’s swept away in a flood of biblical proportions while trying to protect the infant Lyra from mysterious assailants. The audiobook is read by Michael Sheen, who brings his customary energy to Pullman's wild tale.

By Ben Aaronovitch

Set in modern-day London, the series follows copper Peter Grant as he’s slowly introduced to the world of magic lurking beneath the city’s streets. If you’re reluctant to dive into a tale of wizard’s hats and magic wands, don’t worry—author Ben Aaronovitch approaches the premise like a scientist, and Grant conducts controlled experiments that would put the stars of CSI to shame. The audiobooks, expertly narrated by Kobna-Holdbrook Smith, are a pleasure, particularly when the series ventures into the jazz world in book two, Moon Over Soho .

By George Saunders

Acclaimed short story writer George Saunders’ first foray into long fiction was a huge critical success. He won the 2017 Man Booker prize for his portrayal of a grieving Abraham Lincoln, harangued by ghosts after his son’s death. The audiobook has a suitably stellar cast, featuring Susan Sarandon, Lena Dunham, Ben Stiller, and a host of other famous—and slightly less famous—actors. There are 166 cast members in total.

By William Boyd

If you're after an easy listen, William Boyd's James Bond novel Solo fits the bill. In a fictional African nation, an aging Bond goes undercover as a journalist in an attempt to foil a separatist movement. Read skillfully by actor Dominic West, the novel is set in 1969 and offers a pleasant antidote to the modern Bond movies while benefiting from an excellent villain in Kobus Breed, a ruthless mercenary on whom Bond seeks revenge.

By Douglas Adams

The BBC's radio adaptations of Douglas Adams' seminal comedy works are legendary and all six series—one for each book—are available on Audible. With each clocking in at around two-and-a-half to three hours, complete with brilliant music, sound effects, and full cast, they're the perfect way to enjoy the adventures of the last surviving man from Earth and his alien “friends” through your headphones. If you'd rather experience the books in full, all six are also available with narrations from Stephen Fry and Martin Freeman, who played Arthur Dent in the movie adaption. 

By Margaret Atwood

Narrated by Elizabeth Moss, the star of the ongoing television adaptation, The Handmaid’s Tale is an increasingly powerful reminder of the thin ice the modern, relatively liberal society we live in rests upon. Margaret Atwood’s novel has spawned countless imitators since it was first published in 1985, but its description of Offred’s life in Gilead and the slow ratcheting back of progress that led society to that point remains chilling.

By John le Carré

Written by John le Carré, A Legacy of Spies acts as both prequel and sequel to one of his earliest novels, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold —famously adapted into a film starring Richard Burton. Here a now-retired intelligence officer is summoned to London to defend his actions during a Cold War operation in which a British agent was killed. Decades later, the agent’s son is suing the British government for wrongful death, and the bureaucratic apparatus is desperate to shift the blame. It’s an absorbing listen, thanks to le Carré’s skill in building character and tension, and it’s further enhanced by the deft narration of actor Tom Hollander.

By Frank Herbert

In 2012, WIRED readers voted Dune the best science-fiction novel of all time. It’s also the best-selling of all time and has inspired a mammoth universe, including 18 books set over 34,000 years. The series takes place 20,000 years in the future in galaxies stuck in the feudal ages, where computers are banned for religious reasons and noble families rule whole planets. Frank Herbert focuses on the planet Arrakis, which holds a material used as a currency throughout the universe for its rarity and mind-enhancing powers. 

By Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere is a tale of London—not the city you know, but the London Below, a city unseen by the majority yet no less real, populated by the ignored, lost, and forgotten. It's a world that Richard Mayhew, a Scottish expatriate to the Big Smoke, slips into when he helps Door, a young woman on the run from unstoppable assassins who have killed her entire family. Now invisible and forgotten by London Above, Richard and Door—along with the trickster Marquis de Carabas and the stoic Hunter—must travel across Night's Bridge, seek an audience at the Earl's court, and acquire a rare key from the Black Friars for the angel Islington if either of them has a hope of returning to their former lives. Gaiman's urban fantasy takes the metropolis of London and rebuilds it into a unique realm of mythology, one that will leave you wondering what's really happening, a half-glance out of sight, the next time you find yourself wandering around the city. The audiobook is read by Gaiman himself, while a full-cast audio drama offers a more immersive journey through London Below. 

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The 18 Best Audiobooks to Listen to Right Now

Because sometimes an audio file is worth sixty thousand words

Books are great. They're really, really good. You can flip through them, they smell great when they're fresh off the shelf, and if a mate who borrowed one off you folds the corners of the pages over, then you're legally allowed to break one of their fingers.

But audiobooks are great too. For one thing, there aren't any pages to fold the corners of. For another, they're going through a revolution right now, with A-list names signing up to read both new releases and classics from the literary canon. Plus, you get all kinds of extra bits and pieces thrown in for good measure.

In fact – and please don't tell Kazuo Ishiguro we said this – some audiobooks are even better than the actual books. Listen to these and tell us we're wrong.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Broke college grad Emira Tucker babysits the extremely cute toddler Briar for Alix Chamberlain – girlboss motivational speaker and blogger, still trying to pretend she lives in Manhattan even after she and her family have slunk off to Philadelphia for her husband's job – but a deeply weird turn of events at a local supermarket sours things. Emira, who's black, is accused of kidnapping white kid Briar, and though eventually she's rescued, it spurs Alix to try and make Emira her mate. It turns out to be a lot more complicated than Alix realises. It's a really sharp, smart, unflinchingly awkward exploration of the micro-dynamics at play there, as well as motherhood, anxiety and blithe, earnest liberal prejudices.

The Premonitions Bureau by Sam Knight

Good Pop, Bad Pop by Jarvis Cocker

The former Pulp frontman, broadcaster and early stage national treasure has been digging around in his attic to see if he can make sense of his life through the detritus which he's accumulated in his loft. Each object – a letter, bar of soap in a box, a polyester shirt from BHS – has to be either kept or 'cobbed'; that is, thrown out. This is a different kind of life story, one told in shards and pieces as Cocker picks out objects which flesh out his early life in Sixties and Seventies Sheffield. (The story ends here just as he sets off for art college at Central St Martins in 1988, a time when Pulp were still very much cultish John Peel favourites rather than pop titans.) It's full of his usual wry, outsiderish observations and some astute thoughts on how certain things help to democratise culture.

The Last Days of Roger Federer (and Other Endings) by Geoff Dyer

This investigation into the twilight of creative types and sportspeople is full of Dyer's usual joyful, densely packed style, and tries to unpick exactly how things change when experts in their field know that the end is coming. We tour through John Coltrane and Bob Dylan's reworkings of their earlier tunes, Jean Rhys' return from presumed death, JMW Turner's bursts of wild, bright lightscapes and Nietzche's breakdown in Turin, as well as the feather-light touch of our Rog.

Notes on Heartbreak by Annie Lord

Annie Lord's lyrical, occasionally lacerating dating and relationships columns in Vogue have quickly made her name as the kind of honest writer you feel like you're already friends with. Her debut, Notes on Heartbreak , already has the feeling of a massive hit about it. This memoir dives deep into the break-up which Lord has mined in columns before, and picks apart the slow-motion collapse of a five-year relationship. You're going to see Notes on Heartbreak literally everywhere this summer – the Tube, the park, mates' bookshelves – but hearing it read by Lord, in her Otley tones, adds an extra sense of intimacy.

Don't Laugh, It Will Only Encourage Her by Daisy May Cooper

Perhaps the funniest woman in Britain tells her story of growing up with nothing in rural Gloucestershire and turning it into one of the best sitcoms of the last 20 years. After school Cooper moved to London to attend Rada, which turned out to be an absolutely terrible experience. "Before I went to Rada," she writes, "I wasn’t even aware of the smörgåsbord of ways you could be told how utterly shit you were." She went back to Gloucestershire, moved in with her little brother Charlie, and together they took cleaning jobs while starting to piece together the characters and ideas that would turn into This Country . This one comes with an extra Q&A section where Cooper speaks to her dad Paul.

And Away... by Bob Mortimer

Bob Mortimer's national treasure status has been a long time coming, but between the Athletico Mince podcast , Train Guy, his segments of rambling surrealness on Would I Lie To You? and the gentle reflections on mortality which ripple through Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing , he's become everyone's favourite slightly mad uncle. This memoir digs into the frequently bizarre circumstances he's found himself in, whether fending off wolves while working on the bins or becoming known as 'the Cockroach King' during his work prosecuting slum landlords for Lambeth Council. It's his honesty about the shyness and depression which afflicted his life into his twenties which makes it really engrossing, though. And in the audiobook, you've got Bob's impressions and characters right there – his version of taking on Michael Jackson's goons at the Brits in 1996 is lifted immeasurably by his quivering Jarvis Cocker.

Nomadland by Jessica Bruder

With the film just having won a few Oscars – if you've not seen it yet, do seek it out – now's a very good time to get into this extraordinary non-fiction account of the wreckage wreaked by the Great Recession, and the complex ways in which people who have taken to living in cars and vans because their jobs vanished feel about their situation.

" The people I met didn’t think of themselves as victims, and that made them more compelling ," Bruder said when we spoke to her in February. "They felt they were doing this by choice, which is a complicated thing because it’s not what you and I might think of as a choice."

What White People Can Do Next by Emma Dabiri

After the protest and soul-searching of last summer, this is a practical, straightforward guide "from allyship to coalition", as the subtitle puts it. Just sitting there feeling bad is, you should probably already realise, not much help to anyone. Instead, Don't Touch My Hair writer Dabiri calls on white allies to drop any last bits of denial, give capitalism a good shake, and lose their guilt to properly get behind antiracism. This is incisive, witty, thoroughly researched stuff.

Beyond by Stephen Walker

The story of Yuri Gagarin's flight into the cosmos is full of absolutely incredible moments, and Stephen Walker's account of the mission and Gagarin's life is vividly told. Here's just one of them: when Gagarin landed back on Earth after becoming the first human to travel through space, he realised he'd landed in a potato field. An old woman and her granddaughter were stood staring at him, apparently halfway through their harvest.

"Don't be afraid," he said. "I am a Soviet citizen like you, who has descended from space." He paused. "And I must find a telephone to call Moscow." The grandmother didn't have one, so Gagarin hitched a ride on a cart to the nearest phone.

Later by Stephen King

Eight-year-old Jamie is one of those kids who seems to notice a bit more of the world than most other kids his age. Unlike those other kids who notice a bit more of the world, though, Jamie also notices dead people walking around, and he can chat to them too. Yes, yes – we know. But, we're assured, it's "not like in that movie with Bruce Willis". For one thing, Jamie can only see the dead for a week after their death, and if he asks them a question they cannot lie to him. Naturally, the NYPD want a piece of him. This is classique King.

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Nobel laureate's first novel in six years has echoes of his Never Let Me Go in its subtly dystopian setting and genetically-fiddled class strata, but Klara and the Sun wanders down a different road. In a future where children socialise not with each other but with artificially intelligent machines, one machine called Klara learns about the world through the shop window she stands in. She's eventually paired up with a teenager called Josie, who's one of the 'lifted', a genetically engineered genius.

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

Two young people meet in a pub in south-east London – she's a dancer, he's a photographer – and both realise they managed to get scholarships to prestigious private schools where they felt like outsiders. They fall in love and feel the pulsating push and pull of the city as it elevates and diminishes them, and fall apart under the pressures that it puts on these young Black artists. This is a vibrant, complex debut which, much like Luster below, gains a lot from being read with a tender intensity by its author. As Nelson told Esquire recently: " Writing, to a degree, is an act of love and should be treated accordingly ."

We Are Bellingcat by Eliot Higgins

Bellingcat styles itself as the security agency of the people, and over the last seven years it's published investigations into the most inscrutable events and most hostile organisations – the downing of MH17, the Skripal poisoning, the Christchurch shootings – using a combination of old-fashioned journalistic nous and crowdsourced intelligence and assessment. Founder Eliot Higgins tells the story of how some self-taught sleuths and amateur debunkers collaborated over the internet to become one of the world's most important bulwarks against disinformation, as well as exploring the tools and technology which let Bellingcat draw every byte of information from seemingly innocuous clues.

Luster by Ravel Leilani

Raven Leilani reads her own remarkable, darkly funny debut about Edie, a young Black woman working a dead-end job in New York who finds herself drawn slowly into a middle aged white archivist's sort-of-open marriage. As the punning title implies, there's a deliriously carnal edge to Edie's accounts of hook-ups and entanglements.

"For me the first bits of the book were the body and its needs and the messy way that those needs manifest," Leilani told Esquire recently. "Edie is a young Black woman who wants to be touched and wants to be witnessed." Leilani's reading is the ideal way to feel the intense closeness of Edie's interior life.

Soul Tourists by Bernardine Evaristo

Bored banker Stanley Williams is wondering if trudging to and from his desk each day is all that life has to offer him. Then, he bumps into Jessie at a club. She's a livewire and a loose cannon, and before long Jessie and Stanley are on a road trip across Europe together. But this, it turns out, is no gap year schlepp from hostel to hostel. On their way, they meet the ghosts of some of the great Black Europeans: Mary Seacole, Hannibal of Carthage, Alessandro de Medici of Florence, and more besides all make their presences felt while Stanley and Jessie go on an odyssey into life, death and the states in between. Girl, Woman, Other author Bernardine Evaristo's 2005 novel takes a magpie-like approach to storytelling, mixing scripts with poems with prose with anything else that comes to hand. Evaristo narrates along with Vivienne Acheampong (who you'll have seen in Famalam ) and Kayi Ushe.

Shakespeare: The Complete Works

So, say you've suddenly got a lot of time on your hands. Maybe you're doing some power-sanding, or you're flying to Japan, or you're walking Hadrian's Wall. You've almost certainly got more than enough time to take a chunk out of the 99 hours of this compilation of newly digitised versions of all 37 of Shakespeare's plays, recorded across the 20th century. The actors from Marlowe Dramatic Society and Professional Players featured here include: Ian McKellen (obviously), Derek Jacobi (obviously), Diana Rigg (obviously) and many more knights and dames of the realm giving it their thespiest. And you'll not have to put up with anyone sitting near you really guffawing at the gags in A Midsummer Night's Dream just so you know that they get them.

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Best audiobooks to listen to in 2021

By Alice Kemp-Habib

GQ picks the best audiobooks, from Stephen Fry's take on Sherlock to Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara And The Sun

The best audiobooks can expand the reading experience, adding new dimensions to your favourite tomes via commanding narration or thoughtful additions. But this isn’t their only perk. The pandemic has induced an odd state of being – many, including us, are simultaneously bored out of our minds and more distracted than ever. If this sounds familiar, then audiobooks might be your saving grace. They ease the pressure of reading a physical text, allowing you to soak in the words rather than demanding your full attention. Audiobooks mean you can read while cooking, running or cleaning.

As the medium grows in popularity, there are an increasing number of apps and platforms to sate your literary palette – from giants such as Audible and Scribd to Libro.fm . Each is home to a veritable wealth of recorded material. So, with such a large volume to choose from, we’ve done the research for you. These are the best audiobooks to listen to right now. Happy reading!

A Swim In A Pond In The Rain by George Saunders

From the author of Lincoln In The Bardo , A Swim In A Pond In The Rain is an extension of George Saunders’ Syracuse University class on Russian short stories. In it, he pairs works by the likes of Chekhov and Gogol with his own musings on the stories and their impact. A relatively dry subject, then, but one that is brought to life by narration from Glenn Close, Rainn Wilson and Phylicia Rashad, among others. At amazon.co.uk

Klara And The Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Narrator Sura Siu had her work cut out for her when it came to voicing Kazuo Ishiguro’s latest dystopian novel. Klara And The Sun is told from the perspective of Klara, an “artificial friend” tasked with keeping the teenage Josie company. How does one capture the voice, thoughts, observations and nuances of a robot? Siu does so masterfully. At amazon.co.uk

Four Hundred Souls by Ibram X Kendi and Keisha N Blain

Four Hundreds Souls , edited by Ibram X Kendi and Keisha N Blain, brings together 90 writers, each of whom tackled a five-year period from 1619 to 2019. The result is an epic reflection on the 400-year history of African Americans and Penguin has assembled an impressive line-up of narrators to bring it to your ears, including Danai Gurira, Samira Wiley, Leslie Odom Jr and Angela Davis. At amazon.co.uk

Born A Crime by Trevor Noah

The Daily Show host Trevor Noah was born to a Swiss father and Xhosa mother during apartheid in South Africa, when such a union was punishable by five years in prison. Thus, Noah was hidden away for years in an attempt to evade the government’s notice. His memories of the time are unsettling, absurd and occasionally humorous. And who better to narrate than the author himself? At amazon.co.uk

Gotta Get Theroux This by Louis Theroux

Packed with his signature style of self-deprecating humour, Louis Theroux takes a comprehensive look at his life and career in this recently released memoir. The spectre of Jimmy Savile lingers, though – Theroux famously filmed a documentary with the entertainer before Savile was outed as a prolific sex offender and still regrets his inability to see through the charade. At amazon.co.uk

My Sister The Serial Killer By Oyinkan Braithwaite

Perhaps the most well-known addition to the Naija noir genre in recent years, Oyinkan Braithwaite’s award-winning second novel tells the story of Korede and her sister Ayoola who, we discover in the opening few lines, has already killed three of her boyfriends. Narrated by Weruche Opia (who plays Terry in I May Destroy You ), Braithwaite’s dark humour cuts even deeper. At amazon.co.uk

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Yaa Gyasi’s debut novel is a sprawling intergenerational saga following the descendents of two Ghanaian sisters – one who marries a wealthy slave trader and the other who is sold in to slavery. Narrator Dominic Hoffman navigates an incredible number of characters and accents with ease. It’s no wonder his reading of the text won an Audie award in 2017. At amazon.co.uk

By Emma Carmichael

By Daniel Riley

By Adam Cheung

Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Audio Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle

There are plenty of takes on Arthur Conan-Doyle’s detective series out there, but this stands out both for its breadth and the fact it is voiced by god-among-audiobooks Stephen Fry. The collection covers all four Sherlock novels, plus five short stories and, as an added bonus, Fry has recorded a personal introduction for each. It runs to nearly 72 hours, so there’s plenty to keep you occupied. At amazon.co.uk

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama’s bestselling memoir charts everything from her Chicagoan childhood to her legal career, to life as the Flotus and beyond. It is a fascinating insight into the life of one of the most influential women on the planet. In audiobook form, her warmth and wisdom shines tenfold (Obama’s comforting tones alone are enough of a reason to listen). At amazon.co.uk

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17 Of The Best Audiobooks To Listen To Now

By Timothy Harrison and Amel Mukhtar

In our noisy moment in time, carving out the hours and summoning the attention span to read a novel can feel almost impossible. Enter: the best audiobooks to save the day. Whether you’re worn out on the Tube home, going for a hike through nature, or working out at the gym, you can still dive into some of the greatest literature ever written. Plus, the engaging narration of the best audiobooks can breathe new life into prose, or with expert acting, add new dimensions to a tale.

What that means is that you can now hear Zora Neale Hurston’s masterwork Their Eyes Were Watching God delivered by Academy-Award-nominated actor and civil rights icon Ruby Dee, or listen to a full cast bring to life the many graveyard spirits in George Saunders’s Lincoln in the Bardo. Or, hear a story direct from the author’s mouth, with stars as dazzling as Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jennette McCurdy, or current Vogue cover star Miriam Margolyes narrating their own memoirs. Discover 17 of the best audiobooks below.

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

Michelle Zauner, best known as Grammy-nominated indie act Japanese Breakfast, writes about her upbringing in Oregon, where she grew up as the only Asian-American child at school. In an incredibly touching memoir, she parses her complicated feelings around her Korean heritage, mixed-race identity, and troubled relationship with her mother, and narrates the audiobook herself.

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Legendary actor and civil rights activist Ruby Dee beautifully narrates Zora Neale Hurston’s landmark novel Their Eyes Were Watching God . In the poetic coming-of-age classic from the Harlem Renaissance, Janie Crawford sets off from her home in the South in the 1930s to join an all-Black community in what is both love story and a tale of finding independence.

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams, narrated by Shvorne Marks

A Sunday Times bestseller, Candice Carty-Williams’s phenomenal debut follows the titular Queenie, struggling with low self-esteem, as she navigates the end of a toxic relationship; a complicated family dynamic, and a soul-destroying job at a major newspaper. Tackling a range of complex subjects from race and mental health to consent and class, it is all beautifully narrated by actor Shvorne Marks.

This Much Is True by Miriam Margolyes

Discover the extraordinary personal history of “national trinket” and Vogue cover star Miriam Margolyes, who wrote her memoir at the age of 80. The Blackadder, Call the Midwife and Harry Potter star looks back on her storied life, and recounts hilarious highlights like being the first person to say the F-word on TV, getting scolded by Queen Elizabeth II , and even her own conception, all told in her inimitable voice.

Beloved by Toni Morrison, narrated by the author

The trailblazing late author reads her peerless 1988 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the ghosts that continue to haunt the home of an escaped slave. The poignant tale draws inspiration from an article Morrison came across about a real-life runaway who killed her own daughter rather than letting her return to captivity.

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders, narrated by a full cast

George Saunders’s 2017 Booker Prize-winning novel is brought to life by a staggering 166 actors and writers, including Miranda July, Lena Dunham, David Sedaris, Ben Stiller, Julianne Moore and Susan Sarandon. The experimental tome takes the death of Abraham Lincoln’s son as its subject, exploring the president’s indelible grief.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Last year, this title of this memoir made Jennette McCurdy the name on everybody’s lips, and its release, which revealed it to be so much more than provocation, made her a literary star. Documenting her childhood spent as a Nickelodeon star with a controlling, abusive mother, her often heartbreaking stories are told with darkly hilarious wit. Experience the viral sensation, as told by Jennette herself.

By Afua Hirsch

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, narrated by Sissy Spacek

With wide-eyed innocence and a gentle drawl, actor Sissy Spacek immediately transports you to the rural South as the young narrator Scout in Harper Lee’s 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winning classic. Exploring themes of justice, prejudice and courage, it tracks her, her brother Jem, and their lawyer father Atticus, as the latter defends a Black man wrongfully accused of rape.

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, narrated by Weruche Opia

Artfully brought to life by Weruche Opia, best known for her exuberant performance as Terry in I May Destroy You , this dark novella by Oyinkan Braithwaite tells the story of two sisters. The older sibling is the narrator, a hilariously deadpan hospital nurse, while the younger is more beautiful and wild – and has killed three of her boyfriends.

Persuasion by Jane Austen, narrated by Cynthia Erivo

Considered one of the most poignant love stories to come from the great Jane Austen, Tony Award-winner Cynthia Erivo breathes new life into the tale. Her last novel speaks to second chances, following Anne Elliot, whose family led her to reject a suitor without a fortune. Eight years later, he makes a frosty return to the neighbourhood.

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James, narrated by a full cast

Inspired by real events, Marlon James’s epic Booker Prize-winning book recounts a failed plot to assassinate Bob Marley. Wildly imaginative, grisly and moving, the novel switches perspective between an astonishingly diverse medley of voices that ranges from CIA bosses to bitter ghosts to the gunmen at the lowest rung of warring gangs.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, narrated by the author

Is there a more reassuring voice in the world than Maya Angelou’s? The late, great poet narrates her own groundbreaking memoir about her deeply painful yet achingly beautiful life growing up in segregated America. A coming of age tale, the inspiring story sees Angelou overcome her trauma through her own strength and a passion for literature.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead, narrated by the author and JD Jackson

Written by the brilliant mind behind The Underground Railroad , which was adapted into a Barry Jenkins mini series last year, The Nickel Boys is a harrowing study of the experience of children in Jim Crow-era America. Based on a real story, this 2020 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Fiction is somehow even more powerful when read by its author, with the actor JD Jackson.

Face It by Debbie Harry, narrated by the author, with guest contributions

Blondie’s frontwoman added critically-acclaimed writer to her CV in 2019 with the publication of her buzzy memoir, Face It . Listening to the audiobook feels like a personal conversation with the star – with Harry reciting old stories about playing CBGBs and going on world tours with bandmate Chris Stein.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, narrated by the author

Hailed by Toni Morrison as “required reading”, Ta-Nehisi Coates’s Between the World and Me reads aloud his own deeply personal letter to his 15-year-old son. In the National Book Award-winning work, Coates coaches him through the dangers and blessings, highs and lows, mythologies and realities of the African-American experience.

Becoming by Michelle Obama, narrated by the author

The former First Lady’s deeply personal memoir became the biggest selling book of 2018 when it was published. It’s wonderfully hopeful, and especially when delivered in her own instantly recognisable voice. In fact, her narration earned her a Grammy for best spoken word album at the beginning of 2020.

Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion, narrated by Diane Keaton

Who better to voice Joan Didion’s coolly detached reporting on ’60s America than the inimitable and Academy Award-winning Diane Keaton? The varied collection of essays includes many of Didion’s newspaper columns; articles written while a junior editor at Vogue ; and observations on the dire realities of countercultural San Francisco, like preschoolers fed acid by their parents.

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Audible UK Review – Is It The Best Audiobooks Service In 2021?

Feb 26, 2021 8:44am jan 15, 2021 11:15am , by or goren.

I f you’re a fan of audiobooks, you’ve probably heard of Audible . It’s the biggest online audiobooks store, with hundreds of thousands of titles, and player apps for almost every device under the sun. But is Audible worth its membership price?

Unlike some other online stores that sell audiobooks, Audible pushes you towards a subscription – without it, prices of individual titles are quite costly. So in essence, Audible is like a membership-based VOD store for audiobooks. But the subscription model isn’t for everyone…

In this review, I’ll take a look at how Audible works, what you get with your subscription, and whether it’s the right service for you. (If you want to jump right ahead and try it out – you can get Audible for free, for 30 days, via this link ).

Audible UK - Quick Look

Who Is It For: People who love listening to audiobooks, and tend to do it regularly.

• Very big selection of audiobooks
• Books (via credits) are cheap
• Player apps for almost every device (and they sync)
• Books can be refunded and exchanged
• Individual books (without the membership) are pricey
• You can lose credits if you don't use them for a long time
• Narration quality varies

A huge audiobooks store that works best when you join with the monthly subscription – for £7.99/month, you get one credit (which equals one book in most cases), every month . 

Table of Contents

What Is Audible?

Audiobooks, in general, have been popular for years on physical media: first on vinyl records, cassette tapes, and eventually CDs. Audible was launched in the US back in 1995, as a place to buy online audiobooks.

In 2008, Audible was bought by Amazon for $300 million and is now a subsidiary of the American retail giant.

Here in the UK, audiobooks usually reference both actual ‘books’ that are read out loud on a recording, and ‘audio dramas’, which were also popular on the radio, in which stories – sometimes original ones – are dramatised with actors and special effects. The Doctor Who audio dramas, for example, have been quite popular for many years.

Today, Audible has more than 400,000 audio titles. These range from full-length books, to recorded lectures, magazines and children’s stories. In recent years, Audible has also become one of the leading audiobook producers, and they record and release new books each year, in-house.

Although Audible does sell individual audiobooks, it’s not really geared towards that, and the books are quite expensive if you buy them this way – often more so than on other online audiobook stores. 

Instead, Audible wants you to subscribe to their membership scheme, where you pay monthly (or yearly) for a set amount of audiobooks. 

What Does An Audible Membership Get You? 

Once you join Audible’s basic membership tier, you get 1 “credit” every month.

Each credit can be exchanged for one audiobook, regardless of its original price – so you might see books that are sold for £31.99 and are 30-hours-long, collections of works that span over more than 70 hours and normally cost £79.99, and plays that are 1-hour long and cost £4.99. ALL of these examples would cost you…  one credit .

Therefore, value-for-money is a bit hard to measure on Audible, as it really depends on how you use your monthly credit. Generally speaking, since the normal Audible price is £7.99/month, it’s always best to use your credit on a book that costs more than that (and most do) – as that will give you the best value for money.

Interestingly, any book you’ve bought on Audible can be returned and exchanged for a different one, for any reason (up to 12 months after the purchase) – even if you’ve listened to the entire book. Audible does limit this benefit, and if you abuse it and return “too many” books, they might remove your ability to return books – though they don’t specify what the limits are, exactly.

If you’re a big (audio)bookworm, and one credit isn’t enough for you, Audible also offers a plan with 2 credits each month for £14.99. Additionally, you can pay for a year in advance – either for 12 or 24 credits – and get discounts:

• 1 Book A Month £7.99
• 2 Books A Month £14.99
• 12 Books A Year £69.99
• 24 Books A Year £109.99

Audible’s monthly credit system is a blessing if you’re an avid listener, as it always reminds you to look for a new book, and the price (via credits) is, in most cases, very attractive.

However, if you don’t finish a full book every month, the credits start to accumulate. If you don’t use a credit during the month, it will rollover to the next month (provided you’re still a member) – but there are rollover limits: 5 for the 1 credit/month plan, and 6 for the 2 credits/month plan, so eventually credits WILL expire, if you accrue too many of them.

Also, if you cancel your membership, any unused credits will expire, so make sure you use all your credits before you cancel your membership.

However, audiobooks you’ve purchased during your membership will  not expire, even if you cancel the subscription, so you can always download them again to new devices.

Instead of cancelling, it’s also possible to put your membership on hold, for up to three months at a time. During that period you will not be billed, and won’t get new credits – but can still use your existing credits.

More Audible Membership Perks

The monthly credits aren’t the only thing you get with an active Audible subscription, and there are a few additional benefits:

• Free Audible Original Podcasts – Unlimited (as long as you’re a member) listening to episodic documentaries, comedies and more.
• Regular sales on other audiobooks, which you can purchase directly – with a discount.
• The ability to purchase additional monthly book credits (up to a limit)

Is Audible Free For Amazon Prime Members?

It’s a common question, but the answer, unfortunately, is no. In the American version of Amazon Prime, members do get to listen to Audible Channels for free – it’s a curated selection of – mostly – podcasts, narrated magazines, comedy shows, etc’ – and occasionally some books. However, Audible Channels is NOT available for Amazon Prime members in the UK.

However, while if you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you can get a free trial with TWO credits (as opposed to just one for non-prime members) – so that means 2 free books, by clicking here .

What’s Available On Audible UK?

With more than 400,000 titles, the selection of audiobooks on Audible is almost endless. If the book you’re interested has been released in an audiobook format – it’s most likely available on Audible. (And some audiobooks are ONLY available on Audible, as they produce them in-house).

These days, new books and bestsellers often come out with an audiobook version day and date of the physical book’s release – so, as of this writing, you can already find audiobook versions of Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments,  David Cameron’s  memoir For The Record , and Stephen King’s new book, The Institute . 

Of course, with a selection this big, choosing what to listen to can become a chore. When it’s time to use my credit, I often spend two hours just browsing the endless selection, trying to decide on the “right” way to use up my credit. Audible tries to help by giving you suggestions based on past purchases, and you can also build a Wishlist for future reference.

You can explore Audible titles by categories , check the Bestsellers list , or look directly at the new releases .

As with Audible’s parent company, Amazon, reader reviews are quite prominent – you get the familiar 5-stars rating for each book, with readers (listeners) writing their opinions on the plot, and – just as important – the performance.

That’s something you need to remember with audiobooks – the performance is a crucial part of the product. Even a great book can be ruined by a bland narrator, and bland books can – sometimes – go up a level with a talented, lively performer.

Luckily, Audible also lets you listen to a sample (usually a few minutes) from every audiobook – so you can judge for yourself whether the performer sounds good, and whether you like his/her voice. Spending 40 hours with a voice you hate is NOT something you should pay money for…

In my experience, many of the readers on Audible are wonderful, but it’s often a matter of personal taste. With some books, the author is the narrator – that often works well for non-fiction books, but is not necessarily the best choice for fiction. Either way – listen to the sample… and you can, as mentioned before, refund and exchange the book if you still don’t like it after listening for a while.

How Can I Listen To Audible?

Audible has been around for so long, it’s available on almost any device you could think of – from Android phones to iPhones, tablets, Amazon Kindle and Fire devices, the Amazon Fire TV Stick , direct on your computer, and even via Smart Home devices and speakers like the Amazon Echo.

The smartphone app is functional and easy to use. Other than the expected player controls (which include buttons for skipping ahead – and back – 30 seconds), it also lets you set bookmarks (so you can easily listen again to a part). The app also lets you speed up the narration by up to 3.5x, so if you’re a fast listener (is that a thing?), you can read hear more at a shorter time span.

Last but not least, the player on the app also has a sleep timer – so if you’re one of those people that listen to a book in bed, you can set it to automatically stop after a set number of minutes, as you drift off to sleep.

The app syncs with all the other Audible players you might use – so if you start to listen on your smartphone, and then continue on at home on your Amazon Echo, the book will continue exactly where you left off.

On Android, you can also use the app to buy (and immediately download) books right from your phone, though I still prefer to do it on a desktop (call me old fashioned).

Some books also support the WhisperSync For Voice feature: it connects ebooks you buy from Amazon (and read on a Kindle device) with their audiobook counterpart, and syncs the two together. That way, if you stop reading the ebook and want to continue hearing it in your car, for example, the Audible app will continue right where you left off on the ebook version.

This isn’t supported with all ebooks – you’ll need to check the one you want on Amazon’s Whispersync page. Plus, you do need to buy  both versions of the book – both the kindle version and the audiobook version (though you do sometimes get a discount, in case you’re not using an Audible credit).

Is Audible Worth The Price?

The bottom line? Yes – IF you enjoy audiobooks. 

The selection of books is very impressive (and gets bigger every month), and the price for members – basically £7.99 for a book – is great. If you plan on buying more books, you’re better off buying more credits, as that will almost always be cheaper than buying the audiobook outright.

The fact that book prices (and lengths) vary greatly makes it hard to judge the value you get for your credit – but I would suggest you don’t try to calculate it like that. Simply mark the books you want to listen to, and use your credits on them, without overcalculating things. The fact that you can easily exchange books you’ve bought, is also a great benefit.

That being said, you should take notice of the number of credits you’re accumulating. If you find you don’t have enough time to listen to a new book every month, it’s better to either pause the subscription, or cancel it – and come back once you’ve listened to everything and have the time to listen to new books.

It sometimes feels like we never have time to read books anymore, in this crazy new modern world – but using your wasted time on the tube, or in the car, or while doing the washing up – to listen to a book – is a great use of that time.

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1 thought on “Audible UK Review – Is It The Best Audiobooks Service In 2021?”

To get a free credit I had to sign up only to discover it was was hard to cancel my account. For a start there was no communication at the beginning as to how to cancel just a donotreply service. There was no phone or E-mail communication intially and after they got your money it was still difficult to cancel. I had to go online to get their Customer Service. In the end I got my Bank to Block their direct debits. Also, they did not have the American books I wanted and refused to give me a refund!

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My Best Audiobooks & Narrators, Two Decades of Listening

Great audiobook narrators coupled with top-quality writing produce really good audiobooks. Here are the best audiobooks of recent decades, if not best audiobooks of all time! Well, they are my favourite audiobooks (most fiction) and the best audiobook narrators out of all those I have had the opportunity to listen to anyway…

I have experienced some wonderful pairings of books and top audiobook readers, across a broad range of genre:

• Drama & Romance Fiction
• Crime Fiction and Thrillers
• Historical Fiction & Classic Novels
• Contemporary Literature & Essay
• Fantasy & Adventure Novels

“The best audiobook narrators really bring stories to life.”

In this list, I bring together my all-time favourite audiobooks reviewed and many of these likely rank amongst the best fiction audiobooks of all time. Some were bestselling novels, others under-appreciated books brought to life by the best audiobook narrators in the business. There truly is something for everybody’s reading and listening appetites!

Clicking on the audiobook covers or title text links will open our detailed review of each title, incl. publisher book synopsis, book quotes and most importantly, links to audio samples. The key to picking a good audiobooks for you is listening carefully to the audio samples provided. Some readers voices will work for you, others will not – what makes an audiobook great is a very personal thing.

Disclosure: If you click a link in this post and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission.

28 of the Best Audiobook Narrator Performances I’ve Experienced

Best audiobooks in romance.

It was very hard to choose my favourite listening experiences in this genre, because romantic fiction is so well suited to the audiobook format. Jenny T Colgan’s under-appreciated sci-fi romantic comedy  Resistance is Futile  narrated by Lucy Price-Lewis is a clear stand out though. Orbit’s press release description was, “Bridget Jones meets The Big Bang Theory meets Independence Day”. I would happily second that and add, “with a Goonies / Stranger Things vibe”. I just loved this audiobook’s rebellious geeky tone. Find out more >>

It is hard not to love romantic audiobooks featuring quirky fish-out-of-water protagonists. But it is those stories where the author (and/or audiobook narrator) plumbs unexpected depths that live longest in my memory. Catherine McCarron’s award-winning, earnest and moving performance of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine ‘s first-person narrative, is particularly memorable. Definitely one of my best audiobooks ever… Find out more >>

Another great example is Dan O’Grady’s audio narration of Graeme Simsion’s  The Rosie Project .

He beautifully captured lead character Don Tillman’s guilelessness and enthusiastic pursuit for happiness, alongside his feelings of insecurity and frustration when trying to negotiate the minefield of social interaction. Find out more >>

♡   Related Reading: My Favourite Smart Romantic Comedy Novels

In The One Plus One Jojo Moyes does ‘romance in the real world’. She understands life is complicated and never involves just two characters, it’s about ensembles. And how can you improve upon a wonderful fictional character ensemble?… Have their story performed by a talented ensemble cast — Elizabeth Bower,   Ben Elliot,   Nicola Stanton and   Steven France – s ometimes actors make the best narrators. Each owns and enhances the delivery of the alternating character viewpoints, presenting different perspectives on the same events and propelling the story onward. Find out more >>

Has a book ever made you literally laugh and cry at the same time? David Nicholl’s  One Day did that to me… I was an absolute mess sitting in my car listening to this romantic story in peak hour traffic. And, the audiobook narration by Anna Bentinck was just brilliant — far, far better than the feature film. Find out more >>

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand is uplifting and rewarding literary romantic fiction. Audiobook reader Bill Wallis‘ calming and measured delivery is a pleasure to listen to, seamlessly shifting between the gravelly voice of the Major, the sotto voce of Mrs Ali and the easily distinguishable ensemble cast of family and villagers. A beautiful love story for all ages to get swept up in. Find out more >>

🎧   Not sure whether audiobooks are for you? Take advantage of Audible’s Free Trial Offer to find out.

Best Audiobook Narrators of Crime & Thrillers

Psychological thriller novel often make good audiobooks. When it comes to novels whose focus is criminal psychology you do not get much more unnerving than Denise Mina’s The Long Drop . Narrator David Monteath’s nuanced differentiation between character accents and phrasing adds to the experience – a very well-paced delivery of deeply unsettling subject matter. Find out more >>

In Talking to the Dead Harry Bingham introduces female police detective Fiona Griffiths. In addition to her daily battle with inner demons daily, her social ineptness combined with maverick nature make for a very entertaining lead. Narrator Siriol Jenkins’ elocution is first-class – crisp, clear and effortless to listen to. Her portrayal of Fiona is fabulous; her quirky mental agility, no-nonsense approach and stinging sarcasm perfectly timed. Find out more >>

I cannot recommend Gerard Doyle’s narration of Adrian McKinty’s award-winning Detective Sean Duffy Series more highly. I started with Book 3  In the Morning I’ll Be Gone . Doyle really brings Sean Duffy to life. His Irish brogue and delivery of the deadpan humour and irony peppered throughout this novel, making this a truly addictive listening experience. Warning : do not embark on this audiobook when you are required to be sociable! Find out more >>

Another Denise Mina title, Conviction , her thrilling modern spin on mystery metafiction. It is a story about stories and storytelling, on so many levels. Cathleen McCarron (yes, she’s featured earlier in this article) skilfully performs this crime-adventure’s multi-perspective narrative, expertly differentiates between the various characters, and really brings Mina’s complex irascible female protagonist to life, switching effortlessly between her raging and deadpan dark snark and more vulnerable moments. Find out more >>

Robert Wilson’s The Ignorance of Blood is a gritty, high octane crime thriller with a labyrinthine plot set in Spain. Audiobook narrator Sean Barrett, with his husky, gravelly voice does a wonderful job of conveying the world-weary but dedicated Inspector Jefe Javier, a complex and compelling character that carries a large burden. Find out more >>

Great dialogue is another key ingredient in good audiobooks. The world-wise, snappy dialogue in Malla Nunn’s Present Darkness , no holes barred action and uncensored brutality in its historical Johannesburg setting, places it squarely in the category of ‘page-turner’. And Rupert Degas’ narration just takes it up another notch. His differentiation between the varied characters – age, ethnicity and attitude – and timing and nuance, made it compulsive listening. Find out more >>

Best Audiobooks in Historical Fiction & Mystery

Kate Morton’s The Forgotten Garden is captivating and atmospheric historical fiction. A story of secrets, family and memory that I highly recommend in audiobook. Caroline Lee’s audio narration is understated and lets the story itself shine. I found the transitions back and forth between historical time periods, locations and voices easy to follow and helped in large part by Lee’s skilful character differentiation. Find out more >>

I listened to Daphne Du Maurier’s gothic classic Rebecca in audio and was mesmerised from the haunting opening sentence… Du Maurier’s enduring classic has a wonderful sense of grandness about it, but also menace and foreboding. Narrator Anna Massey performs this story with such poise – her British accent pitch-perfect. And, for a story told mostly in reflection, Massey does extremely well to carry Du Maurier’s intended suspense through the entire 14+ hours. Find out more >>

In Gillespie and I , Jane Harris has crafted an immensely engaging tale filled with a cast of eccentric characters and enough red herrings to sink a ship. Another superb audiobook performance by Anna Bentinck (see David Nicholls’  One Day above) heightened the tension between listener and unreliable narrator to great effect. Find out more >>

Decline and Fall , Evelyn Waugh ’s first novel has only increased in potency since it was published in 1928. Audiobook narrator Michael Maloney’s measured and well-timed delivery of Waugh’s deadpan satire and black humour kept me on the edge of my seat. Maloney’s performance of the many and varied British accents (in particular the Welsh) had me in stitches as I drove along listening in my car. Find out more >>

When it comes to listening to the classics in audiobook, there are few more engaging than the plays of Oscar Wilde. In The Canterville Ghost , with modern prose and themes, and characters like caricatures, Wilde lampoons traditional ghost stories. Rupert Degas’ narration of The Canterville Ghost  audiobook is first class. The deadpan and quizzical tone of his delivery enhances the intended sarcasm of the text. Find out more >>

In The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde turns the absurd and farcical into sheer brilliance. The audio dramatization I listened to was performed by a very talented cast from L.A. Theatre Works : James Marsters, Charles Busch, Emily Bergl, Neil Dickson, Jill Gascoine, Christopher Neame and Matthew Wolf. The rapid-fire banter between the characters was hilarious. At just under 2 hours in length, this audiobook was a real treat that left a big smile on my face. Find out more >>

Best Audiobook Narrators of Literary Fiction & Essays

Muriel Spark’s A Far Cry From Kensington is a true literary delight – hilarious, witty, and oozing with ‘real’ class. The audiobook version I listened to narrated by Pamela Garelick is an example of the magic that can happen when a book is matched with the perfect narrator. She performs the considered, darkly satirical and strident voice of Mrs Hawkins with aplomb. Find out more >>

Yann Martel’s award-winning Life of Pi is a very clever story. The audiobook version I became engrossed in was narrated by Jeff Woodman. His delivery really brought to life the humour and irony the protagonist manages to find in his dire predicament. The latest Audible edition of this audiobook is narrated by British comedian, actor and broadcaster Sanjeev Bhaskar. Find out more >>

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter is a modern masterpiece that deserves to become a classic — his prose and characterisation exquisite and Edoardo Ballerini’s narration of the audiobook captivating. Find out more >>

Adam Johnson’s The Orphan Master’s Son  is one of the most intelligent and thought-provoking novels I have read. The audiobook version is narrated by a talented cast, the author himself along with Tim Kang, Josiah D Lee and James Kyson Lee, was a joy to listen to. For me, the timing and accents of the cast and matter of fact delivery of dark humour really enhanced the story experience. Find out more >>

David Sedaris’  Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls  is the perfect audiobook to get you through your daily commute. Narrated by Sedaris himself, his deadpan narration adds to the humour but by far his best delivery and timing was on display in those chapters that were recordings of his performances in front of a live audience. Find out more >>

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Best Audiobooks in Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy

Matthew Reilly is a consummate teller of tall tales, rather than a writer of literary prose. His books are just pure and simple entertainment, and I need a dose of silliness and outlandish adventure in my reading sometimes. And in this Captain Schofield title he includes a robot sidekick!  Scarecrow and The Army of Thieves audiobook narrator Sean Mangan has the perfect voice for Matthew Reilly’s action-adventure novels. His vocalisation of the gun noises always make me smile. Find out more >>

Filled with unforgettable characters and touching friendships, Philip Pullman’s The Golden Compass (aka  Northern Lights) is a must read/listen for all ages. A very talented ensemble cast of audiobook narrators including the author and some of my favourites such as Rupert Degas and Sean Barrett, combine together beautifully to bring this wonderful story to life. Find out more >>

Daniel O’Malley’s The Rook is an outlandish sci-fi adventure story with a healthy dose of heart and intelligent humour.  A fabulous title for the audiobook format, both because of its engaging first-person narrative and a very strong performance by British actress Katy Carmichael who really brought the quirky lead character(s) to life. Find out more >>

Connie Willis’ To Say Nothing of the Dog is one of the most enjoyable audiobooks I have ever listened to. Her prose and complex plot lines are delivered seemingly effortlessly in this sci fi oozing intelligence, wit and class. Narrator Steven Crossley then takes Willis’ wonderful novel to another level in audio with his perfect comedic timing and colourful characterisation. Find out more >>

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency contains   Douglas Adam’s trademark offbeat and fantastical elements ( Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy ) but its driving force is a much more mature and intelligent brand of humour.

The dialogue in this novel is top-shelf and my enjoyment of it only enhanced by the fantastic comedic timing of the BBC Audiobook cast including Billy Boyd and Olivia Coleman. Find out more >>

What do you think of our audiobook recommendations?

They span my favourite listening experiences over more than a decade. How many have you listened to?

Who is your top audiobook narrator?

📚 Related Reads: My Best Books of 2020 and my top picks of the Fresh New 2021 Fiction

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Listening is the new reading

The top 20 audiobooks of 2023.

Slayers: A Buffyverse Story

• By: Christopher Golden, Amber Benson
• Narrated by: Amber Benson, Charisma Carpenter, James Charles Leary, and others
• Length: 8 hrs and 2 mins
• Original Recording
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 934
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 895
• Story 4 out of 5 stars 895

Original cast members from the beloved TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer , reunite for an all-new adventure about connections that never die—even if you bury them....

• 1 out of 5 stars

Makes a mockery of BTVS.

• By Laura Hesselden on 20-10-23
• By: Christopher Golden , Amber Benson
• Narrated by: Amber Benson , Charisma Carpenter , James Charles Leary , Emma Caulfield Ford , Juno Dawson , Laya DeLeon Hayes , Anthony Head , Juliet Landau , James Marsters , Danny Strong
• Release date: 12-10-23
• Language: English
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 934 ratings
• Stars from the hit 90s series reunite for a new adventure
• The highly anticipated Slayers reunites the original cast of Buffy the Vampire Slayer reprising their iconic roles from the 90s show that drew a cult following for its blend of coming-of-age drama with horror and comedy. The new adventure has captivated listeners with one long-time fan saying ‘my inner teenage heart skipped a beat hearing life breathed into Tara, Anya and Cordelia again.’ In an alternate Sunnydale, Cordelia Chase is the Slayer, and she will need help to face the big bad Drusilla who is terrorising their world. James Marsters returns as rebellious vampire Spike, Charisma Carpenter as Cordelia Chase, Anthony Head as Giles, Juliet Landau as Drusilla, Emma Caulfield Ford as Anya, Amber Benson as Tara, James Charles Leary as Clem and Danny Strong as Jonathan.

• By: Rob Rinder
• Narrated by: Josh Dylan
• Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,752
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,672
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,669

Follow Adam on his first gripping case that will take him from the murky world of Chambers to the splendour of the Old Bailey....

• 3 out of 5 stars

Needs a Much More Experienced Narrator

• By Stephen Power on 29-06-23
• Series: Adam Green Mystery , Book 1
• Release date: 22-06-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,752 ratings
• The gripping whodunit by Britain’s best-known criminal barrister
• The host of the reality courtroom series Judge Rinder has crafted a clever courtroom drama filled with plot twists that will keep you guessing. The instant best seller tells the story of a hero policeman who dies from a poisoning and the trainee barrister who has to defend the main suspect. The Trial is in the best tradition of John Mortimer's Rumpole series. A hugely enjoyable British courtroom drama' - Steve Cavanagh . For listeners who devoured this book, the best thing is knowing that it is just the beginning for the misfit purveyor of justice Adam Green, with book two due to release early next year.

The Woman in Me

• By: Britney Spears
• Narrated by: Britney Spears, Michelle Williams
• Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 3,589
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 3,472
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 3,471

The Woman in Me  is a brave and astonishingly moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope....

• 5 out of 5 stars

Breathtaking

• By Yasmin T. on 24-10-23
• Narrated by: Britney Spears , Michelle Williams
• Release date: 24-10-23
• 5 out of 5 stars 3,589 ratings
• The pop icon’s long-awaited memoir narrated by Michelle Williams
• It’s certainly been a year of revelatory memoirs and Britney Spear’s The Woman in Me is no exception. With Britney finally able to share her own truth, this brave and candid tale has captivated listeners with a different narrative to the one presented in the press all those years ago. Shedding light on the pressures women face in the entertainment industry, one Audible listener writes that this is a ‘transformative read that will leave any woman even more passionate about preserving our rights in this world.’ Britney’s narration, alongside A-list Hollywood actress, Michelle Williams, brings to life the star's troubles with mental health, fame, and freedom. An exposé that’s shockingly honest, wonderfully entertaining, and sure to make you see Britney in a whole new light.

Ultra-Processed People

• Why Do We All Eat Stuff That Isn’t Food...and Why Can’t We Stop?
• By: Chris van Tulleken
• Narrated by: Chris van Tulleken, Dr Xand van Tulleken
• Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 2,088
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 1,950
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 1,949

This is a book about our rights. The right to know what we eat and what it does to our bodies and the right to good, affordable food....

A good (ISH) isten.

• By JALE on 28-04-23
• Narrated by: Chris van Tulleken , Dr Xand van Tulleken
• Release date: 27-04-23
• 5 out of 5 stars 2,088 ratings
• A fascinating exploration into the science behind our everyday diets
• Ultra-Processed Foods make up 60% of the average UK diet - but what are they? Join British doctor and journalist Chris van Tulleken as he unpacks this question. Ultra-Processed People is an eye-opening investigation which sees Chris adopt the role of guinea pig to explore the impact these foods are having on our bodies, our health and the planet. One Audible listener writes 'this book may well change the way you choose to eat - and perhaps even your lifelong health.'.

Fourth Wing

• Empyrean, Book 1
• By: Rebecca Yarros
• Narrated by: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton
• Length: 21 hrs and 22 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,473
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,315
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,317

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros....

• 2 out of 5 stars

No quality control

• By Sarah on 23-06-23
• Narrated by: Rebecca Soler , Teddy Hamilton
• Series: Empyrean , Book 1
• Release date: 02-05-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,473 ratings
• The steamy action-filled fantasy by Rebecca Yarros
• Since its May release Fourth Wing has been topping the best sellers charts. A war college for dragon riders provides the setting for the addictive high stakes adventure which blends romance, magic and fantasy. 'Fourth Wing will have your heart pounding from beginning to end... A fantasy like you've never read before.' ― best-selling author Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Mother Sun

• By: Sui Annukka
• Narrated by: Nimmi Harasgama
• Length: 6 hrs and 43 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 413
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 401
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 400

Sent on a marketing conference from Sri Lanka to London by her boss, Surya is supposed to be enjoying a change of scene after a tragedy that has left her grief stricken and lost – and compulsively fixated on a long-buried, shameful episode from her past....

A heartfelt, absorbing and well-paced story!

• By Anonymous User on 30-05-23
• Release date: 25-05-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 413 ratings
• From the winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Discoveries Award
• One listener describes Sui Annukka’s breathtaking novel as ‘a story of women, love and survival crossing oceans and boundaries.’ The story follows lead character Surya on a journey from Sri Lanka to London, where she is forced to confront her past in order to find hope for the future. Another Audible listener says, ‘This is simply stunning, from the heartfelt and, at times, harrowing story to Nimmi Harasgama’s emotive narration. It’s so beautifully written - I was transported into the characters’ worlds and felt the relationship between Surya and Rafe was particularly well-crafted. I loved the occasional use of Sinhala. It gave a sense of authenticity, richness and an energy to the dialogue, which was perfectly contextualised for those of us who don’t speak the language.’.

The Little Mermaid

• By: Hans Christian Andersen, Dina Gregory
• Narrated by: Leigh-Anne Pinnock
• Length: 43 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 153
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 136
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 136

Immerse yourself in an Audible Original production of The Little Mermaid . A magical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, narrated by singer-songwriter Leigh-Anne Pinnock....

Beautiful and unique

• By Justine Wallis on 23-03-23
• By: Hans Christian Andersen , Dina Gregory
• Release date: 23-03-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 153 ratings
• A beautiful retelling of a well-loved fairytale
• Immerse yourself in a magical retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, The Little Mermaid . Narration from Little Mix star and author Leigh-Anne Pinnock, is combined with music and vocals to produce what Audible members have described as an 'immersive and completely unique' storytelling experience. Co-written by Dina Gregory, this Audible Original production weaves the traditional story of The Little Mermaid , with aspects of Leigh-Anne's own lived experiences. A captivating listen for the whole family.

Politics on the Edge

• A Memoir from Within
• By: Rory Stewart
• Narrated by: Rory Stewart
• Length: 16 hrs and 20 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 2,208
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 2,075
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 2,074

Over the course of a decade from 2010, Rory Stewart went from being a political outsider to standing for prime minister - before being sacked from a Conservative Party that he had come to barely recognise....

So good I immediately listened to it a second time!

• By Thalia on 16-09-23
• Release date: 14-09-23
• 5 out of 5 stars 2,208 ratings
• An inside scoop from the former Conservative Cabinet minister
• Politics on the Edge is a searing insider's account of ten extraordinary years in Parliament from former minister Rory Stewart, who ‘learned first-hand how profoundly hollow and inadequate our democracy and government had become’. ‘Brilliantly written, completely gripping, and darkly funny - this is one of the most devastating insider accounts of Westminster I have ever read. An instant classic of political memoir. I have to warn you that this book contains mind-boggling scenes featuring some of the leading politicians we've been cursed with over the past few years, several of which were so excruciating I had to read them through my fingers.’ - Marina Hyde.

The Rebound

• By: Leeanne Slade
• Narrated by: Claudia Jessie
• Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,928
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 1,851
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,847

Only from Audible comes this exclusive laugh-out-loud rom-com, perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Beth O’Leary....

Not my demographic but.......

• By MossMan on 26-04-23
• Release date: 30-03-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,928 ratings
• A 'completely enchanting' debut
• It's fair to say the Audible team fell in love with Leeanne Slade's debut rom com The Rebound ... Witty, heartfelt storytelling combined with beautifully created characters you can't get enough of is a dream combination. Add on engaging narration from Bridgerton 's Claudia Jessie and we're not surprised it has garnered so many five-star reviews. We're also delighted to see how many members are romance converts after listening, including Audible listener Mossman. a '42 year old rugby playing ex copper' who said 'this book is brilliant. Superbly paced, well constructed characters. I was genuinely invested in their situations. I have now added another genre to my reading list'.

None of This Is True

• By: Lisa Jewell
• Narrated by: Nicola Walker, Louise Brealey
• Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 5,924
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 5,745
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,742

Celebrating her 45th birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her 45th birthday. They are, in fact, birthday twins....

Gripping and innovative

• By Leeby on 23-07-23
• Narrated by: Nicola Walker , Louise Brealey
• Release date: 20-07-23
• 5 out of 5 stars 5,924 ratings
• A nail biting thriller from the best-selling author of The Family Upstairs series
• Lisa Jewell is a master of creating addictive psychological thrillers, with previous best sellers including The Family Upstairs and The Night She Disappeared . This full cast performance led by Nicola Walker ( Unforgotten , The Split ) and Louise Brealey ( Sherlock ) has captivated listeners with one noting ‘the way this book was narrated and produced made me feel like I had binged a Netflix series!’. The story follows Alix who meets her 'birthday twin' Josie when celebrating her 45th birthday, prompting her to pursue a podcast idea she can't resist. But is Josie really as unassuming as she seems? We were captivated by the incoporporation of real podcast episodes in this audio production which lent an air of authenticity to the plot and makes it a story you won't be able to press pause on.

Someone Else’s Shoes

• By: Jojo Moyes
• Narrated by: Daisy Ridley
• Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,195
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 2,072
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,067

Two women suddenly forced to walk in another's shoes. But having done so, can either ever return to the life they had? Are they changed for ever? Someone Else's Shoes is a heartfelt story about how, for any of us just one little thing can suddenly change everything....

Extremely disappointed

• By Claire M, London on 06-02-23
• Release date: 02-02-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,195 ratings
• A story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances from the author of Me Before You
• English actor Daisy Ridley ( Star Wars: The Force Awakens ) brilliantly narrates Jojo Moyes' heartwarming novel Someone Else’s Shoes . The clever plot follows Sam and Nisha, who after a bag mix-up at the gym, find their lives become intertwined. Be prepared to go on an emotional journey alongside the vividly drawn characters, with both laughter and tears, in a story that champions female friendship. This compulsive tale had one listener saying ‘The only downside is that having finished it already I've now got to wait however long for the next one!’

Strong Female Character

• By: Fern Brady
• Narrated by: Fern Brady
• Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 2,160
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 2,028
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 2,023

Fern Brady was told she couldn't be autistic because she's had loads of boyfriends and is good at eye contact. This is a story of how being female can get in the way of being autistic and how being autistic gets in the way of being the 'right kind' of woman....

Absolutely, unabashedly fantastic. 500/5 stars.

• By Anonymous User on 19-02-23
• Release date: 16-02-23
• 5 out of 5 stars 2,160 ratings
• Heart-breaking yet hilarious, Fern Brady’s frank experience of womanhood and neurodiversity
• In this internationally acclaimed memoir, comedian Fern Brady challenges stereotypes about autistic women, offering a sharp and poignant exploration of neurodivergence. When Fern Brady (comedian and Channel Four Taskmaster contestant) first read about autism as a teenager, it immediately explained everything. But as is the case with so many women, she was only diagnosed at thirty-four. In Strong Female Character , Fern Brady shares all; from her working-class Scottish Catholic family, to the tree that acted as her childhood best friend, and her experience at a psychiatric facility. It’s a moving and eye-opening look, told by Fern Brady herself, about what it means to be autistic, and what it ultimately means to be a woman.

The Diary of a CEO

• The 33 Laws of Business and Life
• By: Steven Bartlett
• Narrated by: Steven Bartlett
• Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 859
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 859

This is not a book about business strategy. Strategy changes like the seasons. This is a book about something much more permanent....

Not Bad but Not as Good as His First Book

• By K L Davies on 05-09-23
• Release date: 31-08-23
• Words of wisdom from the popular entrepreneur
• You may well have heard of Steven Bartlett. He's an entrepreneur, a star of Dragen's Den and is responsible for one of the most listened to - and talked about - podcasts of recent years. His book The Diary of a CEO draws on the lessons he's learned in business, but also the insights he's gleaned from interviewing hundreds of smart people on his podcast of the same name. Audible listener Laura Harrison says 'on day one of reading I made some really positive and impactful changes in my workplace which were inspired by this book. The laws are each invaluable in their own way and I feel this is a book that can be applied to anyone on any journey due to the way it relates to both business and life.'

The Creative Act

• A Way of Being
• By: Rick Rubin
• Narrated by: Rick Rubin
• Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 513
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 434
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 433

Many famed music producers are known for a particular sound that has its day and then ages out. Rick Rubin is known for something else....

Useful advice, but it is steeped in unscientific bunk of the highest degree

• By Raymond jensen on 23-01-23
• Release date: 17-01-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 513 ratings
• Unlocking Rick Rubin’s creative power, a masterclass in living like an artist
• Rick Rubin is both the co-founder of hip-hop label Def Jam Records, and the illustrious producer behind music from artists as varied as Jay-Z, the Beastie Boys, and Neil Young. Now Rubin uses his creativity in a whole new way. In The Creative Act , Rubin shares his expert thoughts about the meaning, importance, and responsibility of creativity in all our lives. It’s a fascinating and inspiring look at the wisdom of creativity and the benefits for all of us – musically talented or not – to live like artists. The Creative Act is an original and uplifting listen read by the author himself, that builds creative confidence through thoughtful insights and advice. It might even encourage you to create your very own masterpiece!

The Nice Guy

• By: Sarah A. Denzil
• Narrated by: Rosie Cavaliero
• Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
• Overall 4 out of 5 stars 966
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 923
• Story 4 out of 5 stars 921

Laura thought she’d found the one nice guy in New York City....

Sarah you never let your readers down, Brilliant !

• By Claire on 10-07-23
• Release date: 06-07-23
• 4 out of 5 stars 966 ratings
• Lucky love turns dark and dangerous in this psychologically gripping listen
• In the bustling chaos of New York City, Laura thought she hit the jackpot with Ethan – the one nice guy in the whole concrete jungle. Their connection sparked on the iconic Brooklyn Bridge and it promised a night of sizzling passion. Surprise! She’s having a baby and everything seems perfect to Laura – a little baby, a loving man, and a flawless little family. But as time goes on, Ethan begins to change… Can Laura keep her baby safe from his control? Masterfully narrated by Rosie Cavaliero, ( Nativity! , Funny Woman ), The Nice Guy is an enthralling listen that is sure to keep listeners on the edge of their seats.

• By: R. F. Kuang
• Narrated by: Helen Laser
• Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
• Overall 4 out of 5 stars 1,211
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,122
• Story 4 out of 5 stars 1,122

Athena Liu is a literary darling and June Hayward is literally nobody. When Athena dies in a freak accident, June steals her unpublished manuscript and publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name Juniper Song....

Drunk on her own self importance

• By Amazon Customer on 26-05-23
• 4 out of 5 stars 1,211 ratings
• A satirical thriller from the best-selling author of Babel
• June Hayward, who steals an unpublished manuscript and publishes it under her own name, is captivating in her seemingly lack of remorse for her lies and betrayal. Be prepared to be gripped throughout as she unravels, and we discover just how far she will go to get what she thinks she deserves. One Audible listener writes, ‘Witty, sharp, incisive and well voiced. Couldn’t stop listening. An antihero you love to hate.’

• By: Ann Patchett
• Narrated by: Meryl Streep
• Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 674
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 637
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 636

In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return to the family's orchard in Northern Michigan. While picking cherries, they beg their mother to tell them the story of Peter Duke....

Lovely story

• By Anonymous User on 13-08-23
• Release date: 01-08-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 674 ratings
• A beautifully moving story of love in all its wondrous complexity
• Narrated by Hollywood legend, Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada, Into The Woods) Tom Lake tells the story of young love, old love, sibling rivalry, and wonderfully deep mother-daughter relationships. At twenty-four, Lara fell deeply and madly in love with young Peter Duke. Many years later, Lara is surrounded by her three adult daughters who plead to hear the story of her wild romance with the now famous actor – also Peter Duke. In a moving and vividly imagined listen, Ann Patchett explores the complexities of human relationships, and the lives parents lead before children. A new Ann Patchett novel is always cause for celebration and this latest listen does not fail to charm and captivate.

• By: Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
• Narrated by: Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
• Length: 15 hrs and 37 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 17,404
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 16,029
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 15,984

It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother's coffin as the world watched in sorrow - and horror....

• By Coco51 on 12-01-23
• Release date: 10-01-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 17,404 ratings
• Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex shares his story
• Following public fascination with - and press coverage of - the Royal Family and the fairy tale romance between Harry and Meghan, Harry released his memoir early in 2023. From losing his mother as a young boy to daring to leave the Royal Family, Prince Harry tells his own story, chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. 'When the book was launched, I was sceptical and had no interest in reading or listening to Harry’s biography, I had my own view. I’m so glad I did! I do now believe how difficult it has been for them and I think they have now found the freedom they crave…' - Anna, Audible listener.

Strange Sally Diamond

• By: Liz Nugent
• Narrated by: Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan, Sara Lynam
• Length: 10 hrs
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,507
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 1,382
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,381

Sally Diamond cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died....

Couldn’t put it down (but should come with a warning)!

• By Catriona B on 19-03-23
• Narrated by: Jessica Regan , Stephen Hogan , Sara Lynam
• Release date: 02-03-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,507 ratings
• A dark thriller from the best-selling author of Our Little Cruelties
• Liz Nugent’s Strange Sally Diamond follows the eccentric Sally when the death of her father thrusts her into the public eye. Flicking between the perspective of the emotionally disconnected Sally and Peter, who has a distorted view of the world, the plot slowly reveals a childhood that Sally doesn’t remember. The build-up of questions surrounding the complex characters past makes this a tension-filled listen that will leave you in its grip. One Audible listener writes ‘I was unable to put it down. Absolutely loved the main character. It has plenty of laughing moments and devastating episodes.’

Translation State

• By: Ann Leckie
• Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
• Length: 12 hrs and 2 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 115
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 108
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 108

Qven was created to be a Presger translator. The pride of their Clade, they always had a clear path before them: learn human ways, and eventually, make a match and serve as an intermediary between the dangerous alien Presger and the human worlds....

A welcome window (hmm…door maybe) into the world of Presger Translators

• By Dawn on 08-06-23
• Release date: 06-06-23
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 115 ratings
• The Bridgerton star narrates award-winning Ann Leckie’s latest exploration of the Imperial Radch Universe.
• In Qven’s world, every individual is created for a specific purpose. Qven was created to become an intermediary between the human world and the perilous alien world of the Presgers. But when Qven rebels from their strictly defined life-role, their world collides with Enae and Root, a diplomat and a mechanic, who are themselves on a very dangerous journey of discovery. Translation State is a stand-alone story about the idea of belonging, set in Ann Leckie’s celebrated Imperial Radch universe. Adjoa Andoh ( Bridgerton and Fractured ) portrays each character’s personality with superb inventiveness, creating an atmosphere listeners will find both charming and thought-provoking.

Trending best audiobook series of 2023

From the Oasthouse

Does Alan Partridge really need any introduction? The third instalment of the broadcaster's podcast released in 2023. Listen in for more ponderings.

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The delightfully clever cosy crime series from television's Richard Osman which features a most unlikely group of investigators.

The Seven Sisters

The eighth novel in the much-loved family saga, co-authored by her son Harry Whittaker, draws Lucinda Riley's story of love and loss to a stunning close.

The Dr. Ruth Galloway Mysteries

The beloved characters return to solve a new mystery in the Norfolk-set detective series. 'Galloway now seems as real as Marple and Morse.' - The Times

The Horus Heresy

This action-filled space adventure is set 10,000 years before the far future of Warhammer 40,000, in a time known as The Age of Darkness.

Robert Glenister, who plays Jasper in the TV adaptation, returns to narrate an unforgettable new instalment in the series.

Featuring all-star narrators including Dame Helen Mirren, Dominic Monaghan and Phil LaMarr, Moriarty is a captivating addition to the Sherlock Holmes universe.

The DCI Ryan Mysteries

Gripping murder and mystery, peppered with humour and romance, this series follows Detective Chief Inspector Ryan, who, when trying to escape a turbulent past, is thrust back into the murky world of murder.

Rivers of London

'Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there more than the real London.' - Nick Frost.

He Who Fights with Monsters

A humorous LitRPG series set in a mysterious world of magic and monsters, whose characters and adventures are captivating audiences.

Discover the sequel to the incredible true story Shantaram , a masterpiece filled with high adventure, great storytelling and moral purpose.

Quantum Earth

When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts, it's up to six college students and their experimental physics project to prevent the end of civilisation.

The Winter Series

Meet Winter - master hacker, highly intelligent, combat trained. She returns in the fifth book in Alex Callister's popular series narrated by Ell Potter.

The beloved series that inspired the Netflix hit: Julia Quinn’s enchanting tales of high society, fame and scandal includes this year's hit Queen Charlotte

Impact Winter

The acclaimed fantasy series from executive producers of The Walking Dead and the writer of Pacific Rim returned this year to haunt us some more.

Confessions

Sally Phillips (Bridget Jones Diary) returns to narrate more hilarity in a story that reminds you that you’re not alone.

Top Editor's Picks from Around the World

From the US - Wellness by Nathan Hill

Nathan Hill’s debut novel, The Nix , topped our Best of 2016 list, so we had high expectations for Wellness - expectations that were absolutely surpassed in this smart, funny, and poignant exploration of modern marriage, our tech-obsessed health culture, and the bonds that keep us together. Hearing narrator Ari Fliakos perform a second Nathan Hill novel was an added treat - these two have great chemistry, and Fliakos gets Hill’s humour. From Jack and Elizabeth, the couple at the center, to the often-hysterical side characters and the vividly drawn descriptions of the arts scene in 1990s Chicago and modern-day suburbia, this top 20 US pick was enthralling from beginning to end.

To Canada - The Downloaded

Cryo chambers? Interspace travel? An all-star cast narration? Sign me up! Beloved sci-fi author Robert J. Sawyer's dystopian thriller is brought dazzlingly to life by award-winning actors Brendan Fraser, Luke Kirby, Vanessa Sears, and more top-tier talent.

And Australia - Homecoming

A breathtaking Australian mystery from one of Australia’s most-loved authors, Kate Morton. Homecoming is an epic listen about what we do for those we love and the lengths we go to in order to protect our lies. Narrated by the inimitable Claire Foy (star of The Crown) , you won’t be able to stop listening!

Browse all of our top picks in your favorite genres

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Where to Find the Best Audiobook Reviews Online

Laura Sackton

Laura Sackton is a queer book nerd and freelance writer, known on the internet for loving winter, despising summer, and going overboard with extravagant baking projects. In addition to her work at Book Riot, she reviews for BookPage and AudioFile, and writes a weekly newsletter, Books & Bakes , celebrating queer lit and tasty treats. You can catch her on Instagram shouting about the queer books she loves and sharing photos of the walks she takes in the hills of Western Mass (while listening to audiobooks, of course).

View All posts by Laura Sackton

As an avid audiobook listener, I’m always on the lookout for audiobook reviews. They’re surprisingly hard to find—most traditional review websites and publications simply review the book itself. But as all audiophiles know, when you’re listening to a book, the narrator is all-important. A bad narrator can ruin even the best book. A good one can turn an ordinary book into something miraculous.

Good audiobook reviews center the narration, giving listeners a sense of the narrator’s performance. Rather than focusing on plot, character, theme, and prose, audiobook reviews take note of how well narrators perform accents, whether their tone matches the tone of the book, and what the narration adds to the overall experience of listening to the book.

I’ve scoured the internet and come up with this list of the best websites offering good audiobook reviews.

AudioFile Magazine

Disclosure: I review books for AudioFile.

AudioFile is the only free, easily searchable website I’ve been able to find that provides useful, performance-centered reviews of audiobooks. Reviews are short and succinct, and while they do provide quick plot summaries and an overall analysis of the book, the narration is always front and center. You’ll find thousands of reviews for audiobooks of all genres. Reviews of new books usually come out shortly after publication.

AudioFile also has a print magazine (6 issues for $19.95), a free newsletter that provides audiobook recommendations, a blog focused on audiobooks, and an audiobooks podcast .

If you’re trying to determine whether or not to read a book on audio, AudioFile should definitely be your first stop.

While Goodreads isn’t exactly set up for audiobook reviews, there are some tricks you can use to seek them out. The easiest way is to search the review text for terms relating to audiobooks. Right above the reviews for a book, you’ll see a small search bar that looks like this:

I’ve found that using terms like “audiobook,” “narration,” and “audio” will generally give you reviews that specifically mention the audiobook. You sometimes have to skim through the review to find the parts that address the narration, but if you’re already reading reviews on Goodreads, it can be useful.

You can also check to see if your Goodreads friends or reviewers you follow have an audiobooks shelf. I shelve all my audiobooks on Goodreads and always try to include at least a short note about the narration in my reviews.

There are also some Goodreads groups focused on audiobooks, where you can find recommendations, ask for recommendations, and discuss all things audio. The  Audiobooks Group is quite active, as is the Romance Audiobook Group .

While we don’t publish straight-up reviews, we do have a lot of great audiobook content . If you’re looking for recommendations for stellar narrators , full-cast audiobooks , audiobooks read by authors , short audiobooks , romance audiobooks , or practically anything else, we’ve got you covered.

Book Riot also puts out a fantastic weekly audiobooks newsletter , which I highly recommend. Vanessa not only highlights new releases, always with some notes about the narrator(s), but always includes a favorite recent listen, complete with a review of the performance. The newsletter also collects great audiobook content from Book Riot and around the internet.

Disclosure: I review books for Booklist.

Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association. It’s a recommendation-only journal, which means that they recommend all the titles they review for purchase at public and school libraries. They do publish audio-specific reviews, but because it’s a subscription service, it’s not the best resource for individual readers (an annual subscription, which includes 22 issues and access to their online reviews, is $169.50). If you’re a librarian or work for an organization that subscribes, this is a great way to find audiobook reviews, as you can search their extensive database.

They do sometimes feature audio reviews free on their website, but because they are so few and constantly changing, it’s hit-and-miss whether you’ll find a review that’s useful to you. Booklist also puts out a free audiobooks newsletter , which features audiobook reviews.

You’d think Audible would be a great place to go for audiobook reviews, but you’d be wrong. While Audible users can post reviews after listening to an audiobook (and anyone can view these, even if you aren’t a subscriber), reviews rarely mention the narration. Most reviewers will simply say something along the lines of “great narration!” rather than commenting on the particular strengths or weakness of the narrator.

The only reason I mention it here is because listeners can give books star ratings, which are broken down into “overall,” “performance,” and “story”. If  you want a quick sense of how much people like an audiobook, glancing at the “performance” rating can be useful. As an example, Becoming by Michelle Obama has a 4.9 star performance rating.

It is also interesting to note that when reviewers don’t like the narration, they’re more likely to mention it. These Truths by Jill Lepore, for example, only has a 3.8 star performance rating, and many listeners comment that they found the narration difficult.

If you’re looking for thoughtful audiobook reviews that center the narration, Audible is not your best bet, but if you just want a snapshot of how listeners react to a narrator’s performance, it’s a good resource.

Can’t Find a Review? Listen to a Sample!

Of course, in the end, a review can only tell you so much about a book. The best way to determine if you’re going to like an audiobook is to listen to a sample. I usually combine listening to a sample with reading a review (if I can find one). This ensures that I almost never listen to an audiobook I don’t like.

Both Audible and Libro allow you to listen to short samples of books even if you aren’t a subscriber. If you use Libby  to check out audiobooks from your library, you can listen to a sample in the app before you borrow the book.

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The best books to read this month

From gripping thrillers to literary gems, here are some brilliant reads out this month.

You Are Here by David Nicholls

As a longtime fan of Nicholls’ writing, I had huge expectations for this book and it absolutely delivered. Michael and Marnie are two lonely people who meet on a coast-to-coast hike. Both come with a lot of baggage, but as they walk, they begin to open up to each other and develop a tentative friendship. I’m calling it now – this will undoubtedly be one of my best books of 2024.

Mrs Quinn's Rise To Fame by Olivia Ford

Seventy-something Jenny Quinn and her husband have agreed it’s time to slow down, but when the opportunity to appear on TV show Britain Bakes comes up, she can’t turn it down. This warm-hearted book is full of delicious descriptions of food, and a powerful message about it never being too late to try new things.

Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford

Hagstone by Sinéad Gleeson

When artist Nell is commissioned to create a piece for a mysterious community of women called the Inions (old Irish for ‘daughters’), who live on an isolated island, she uncovers some of their shocking practices. A hugely atmospheric novel, with sensuous descriptions of the landscape that are so beautiful, you’ll picture yourself there.

Hagstone by Sinead Gleeson

The Household by Stacey Halls

The winner of the 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Good Housekeeping Futures award returns with her fourth historical novel. Based on the real-life Urania Cottage, the house set up by novelist Charles Dickens to rehabilitate women who’d been in prison, this is compelling and richly detailed.

Goodbye Birdie Greenwing by Ericka Waller

Prepare to shed some tears while reading this gorgeously tender story about friendship and love in all its forms. Birdie is still grieving the death of her husband and twin sister when she receives a cancer diagnosis. Her illness throws her together with two neighbours, both also struggling in their own ways, who form a circle of support.

The Sleepwalkers by Scarlett Thomas

After a chaotic wedding, Evelyn and Richard find themselves the only guests at a small Greek beach resort where a couple tragically drowned the previous summer. As Evelyn tries to piece together what happened, events take a more sinister turn. Told mostly through notes and letters, this original thriller has plenty of surprises.

The Night In Question by Susan Fletcher

Oh, how I loved 87-year-old Florrie, the charming armchair detective at the centre of this gentle mystery. When a member of staff at her care home falls from a window, it’s declared an accident, but Florrie is unconvinced. One for fans of Elizabeth Is Missing .

The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher

Day One by Abigail Dean

The author of Girl A returns with a thoughtful yet gripping drama that focuses on the aftermath of a school shooting in a small Lake District community. As the town tries to understand what happened, questions are raised and some begin to believe the whole thing was a hoax.

As Young As This by Roxy Dunn

Dunn’s debut novel, which combines lyrical writing with a very relatable main character, marks her out as a rising star. On the brink of a big decision, Margot reflects on the men she has loved and how each relationship has shaped her.

As Young as This by Roxy Dunn

The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya

The relationship between a father and his daughter is at the heart of this sharp, insightful read. In London in 2020, Sophia is debuting her first play, while in the audience her dad discovers he is its subject – and what unfurls before him is not flattering.

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Audiobooks.com review

Audiobooks.com is a similar offering to audible, with a slightly more limited range, but a better sign-up offer..

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

Audiobooks.com is a great option if you're looking for an audiobook subscription service. While not quite as good as Audible, it has a great library, and a compelling sign-up offer.

Large library of audiobooks

Fantastic podcast offering

Good '3 book' sign-up deal

Not as expansive as Audible

'3 book' sign-up isn't all it seems

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

We like Audiobooks.com, and it has improved plenty over the past few years. While it started off as a clone of Audible, this service has definitely found its own groove recently, digging deeper into podcasts and upping the ante with its free-book sign-up deal. Currently, you get three free books and a 30-day free trial for Audiobooks.com, although this isn't quite as brilliant as it first appears. Still, a fantastic incentive to try this service out. It's one of the main reasons Audiobooks.com places highly on our list of the best audiobook services .

Audiobooks.com only has one membership plan, and while offering a few more options wouldn’t hurt, it does streamline enrolment. With the membership, you get a free book every month from the VIP list on site. The monthly fee is $14.95, which is the same as Audible , making these two some of the more expensive options in the audiobook sphere. The site offers a free trial and gives you one free credit to use to buy your first book from the premium catalogue of 150,000+ books, plus the option to download a further couple from the VIP section of books. 

The VIP section is a neat little bonus, exclusive to Audiobooks.com, and it is basically a list of selected audiobooks that changes every month. If you're a member of the site, you not only get any audiobook free each month, but you can also choose a second book from the VIP section. While the selection here isn't the newest of the new, you'll always find a book you'll want to try from just about any genre of fiction and popular non-fiction. For example, we found the Killing Eve novelization, the Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, and All Quiet on the Western Front when we signed up for our trial.

Audiobooks.com review: Book library

Audiobooks.com's premium library houses 150,000 titles, which is fewer than what you'll find on Audible (by about 70,000), but more than almost any other site. It’s a decent-size store, and if you're looking for discovery, rather than having all the absolute newest books, it's a good option. Just be aware that you'll often find some of the classics from parts of the site in free audiobook repositories, like LibriVox.

As part of our testing, we compiled a list of the most popular books from 2019 and searched for all of them on each site. Audiobooks.com had about 75% of these books in its library. This is better than most other services we tested, but it means you might not always find the title you’re looking for on the site. One advantage Audiobooks.com has over Audible is that you can purchase additional credits at the same price as the first. This makes it more flexible and the cheaper option if you listen to more than one or two audio books a month. Also, you get to keep the books you purchase after you cancel your membership, unlike with the Netflix-like Scribd, which works like a streaming service and is another good option if you listen to a lot of books each month. This also means that, on average, Audiobooks.com’s prices are competitive. Each credit costs only $14.95, which is one of the better bargains I found – only Audiobooksnow.com and Scribd have an average lower cost per book.

We also love the volume of podcasts you can access through Audiobooks.com. There are 700,000 currently on site, and the number grows every day, so if you're looking for spoken word, it's a fantastic one-stop shop. It's worth noting that the podcasts are free, so you won't spend credits downloading them. They also work in the site's dedicated app too.

Audiobooks.com review: App and support

The app itself is slick and easy to use. You can shop and browse via the app, and look at the library of books you've already downloaded. It's free to download on either the App Store for Apple users, or the Google Play store for those on Android. You can also listen via a web browser, so you're covered no matter what device you choose to listen on. It syncs your books across all the computers, tablets and smartphones you use, so you don’t have to find your place every time you open the app on a different device. The player has all the standard features – adjustable narration speed, a sleep timer, bookmarks and places to take notes – and its organization is simple. We especially like how easy it is to adjust the listening settings; all the icons are on the app’s main page instead of hidden in a side menu.

The site offers recommendations based on the titles you view, which can help you pick your next book. The product pages also have customer reviews, which are a screened by Audiobooks.com before they are published.

We weren't blown away by the support features on Audiobooks.com, especially when compared to Audible’s – the latter lets you return a book for any reason, even if you just didn’t enjoy it. You can contact Audiobooks.com by phone during most of the day, and it has email support, but there is no live chat, and the website’s FAQs page is pretty limited.

Should you choose Audiobooks.com?

Audiobooks.com has a flexible membership that allows you to purchase as many credits as you need. The fixed price per credit simplifies shopping on the site because you can anticipate costs. Audible’s bigger library and better support features earn it the top spot, but Audiobooks.com is close competition and a low-stress, quality membership for users who listen to more than one or two audio books a month. The sign-up offer is very tempting, and the price per month - while one of the more expensive options - isn't excessive. If you're a fan of podcasts, there are more here than you're likely to find in any other audiobook site.

Jessica Richards is a former writer for Top Ten Reviews. She graduated with a master’s degree in English from Weber State University, where she now teaches. You'll find her bylines across a number of articles concerning software, especially when it comes to typing software. She has also written about grammar checker software packages too.

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Where to watch Miami Open men's final: Live stream Sinner vs. Dimitrov

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The Miami Open men's singles competition is coming to a close, with the final match set for today at 3 p.m. ET. Jannik Sinner and Grigor Dimitrov will duke it out on the court to determine the ultimate champion. If you're looking for a way to watch the match without cable, we've got you covered. Keep reading to learn where to watch the Miami Open men's final.

This year's Australian Open winner, Jannik Sinner, excelled in the semifinals on Friday as he dispatched Daniil Medvedev in a little over an hour. That match reversed the fortunes of last year's Miami Open final, which saw Medvedev beat Sinner. The Italian is undoubtedly the in-form player right now, but Bulgaria's Dimitrov has seriously impressed in Miami, dispatching Carlos Alcaraz and Alex Zverev in the last two rounds, adding even more disruption to the men's game right now - which is needed for a while now.

Whether you've been following the entire competition or you're just here to catch the finals, we'll show you how to tune in to the Miami Open men's singles final from home. We'll also show you how to access your live TV subscriptions from anywhere in the world.

• See also: How to watch March Madness | Free F1 live stream | How to watch MLB live streams

Where to watch Miami Open men's final in the US

The Miami Open is available on the Tennis Channel in the United States. If you don't have cable, you'll need to try a live TV package that offers this channel, like Sling TV or Hulu + Live TV. 

Sling TV will be the more affordable option here, coming in at $51 per month. You'll need to choose the Sling Orange plan for $40 per month and then add Sports Extra for $11 per month. 

For just the essentials without any extra fluff, Sling TV is the streaming service you're looking for. It's more customizable than other plans, with three options you can choose from, so you pay for only what you need. New members get their first month for $10 off.

Hulu + Live TV will cost more, but it includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu's on-demand collection. The service starts at $76.99 per month, but you'll need to also buy the Sports Add-on for $9.99 (making it $86.98 per month in total).

Hulu + Live TV includes over 90 channels, along with Hulu's on-demand library and access to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus. Adding live TV drives up the price significantly, but it's a rolling one-month contract that you're free to cancel at any time. As live TV services go, though, this is one of the best.

How to watch Miami Open men's final from anywhere 

If you will be traveling outside the US during the men's final, you might want to try a VPN (virtual private network). VPNs change your device's location so you can access websites and apps that might be unavailable in certain regions. They're also solid ways to boost your online security and privacy. Since the live TV options we've suggested require US forms of payment, this option is best for Americans who are currently out of the country and hoping to use their existing live TV subscriptions.

Our go-to is ExpressVPN , a tried-and-true option with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Interested in learning more? Check out our ExpressVPN review and see below to learn how to use a VPN.

With its consistent performance, reliable security, and expansive global streaming features, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there, excelling in every spec and offering many advanced features that makes it exceptional. Better yet, you can save up to 49% and get an extra three months for free today.

How to watch Miami Open men's final with a VPN

• Sign up for a VPN if you don't already have one.
• Install it on the device you're planning to watch on.
• Turn it on and set it to a US location.
• Sign up for one of the live TV streaming packages with a US form of payment.
• Select the Tennis Channel and enjoy the competition.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here . Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected] .

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How to Win an Information War by Peter Pomerantsev review – the radio host who beat Goebbels at his own game

This compelling study of 1930s journalist Sefton Delmer reveals how he used ‘grotesque cabaret’ as propaganda to undermine the Germans’ faith in nazism – and how such methods could be used against today’s tyrants

I n 1941 a secret British radio station called on Germans to rise up against Hitler. Run by German exiles, it was explicitly left wing. The station’s target audience was “the Good German”. Its broadcasts were serious and idealistic: a ray of light amid totalitarian darkness. They were also a complete flop. With Nazi propaganda rampant, and Hitler’s armies seemingly invincible and on the march across Europe, few bothered to listen in.

It was at this point that Britain’s wartime intelligence services tried a more radical approach. That summer, a talented journalist called Sefton Delmer was given the job of beating the Nazis at their own information game. Delmer spent his childhood in Berlin and spoke fluent German. In the early 1930s he chronicled Hitler’s rise to power – flying in the Führer’s plane and attending his mass rallies – as a correspondent for the Daily Express .

Working from an English country house, Delmer launched an experimental radio station. He called it Gustaf Siegfried Eins , or GS1. Instead of invoking lofty precepts, or Marxism, Delmer targeted what he called the “inner pig-dog”. The answer to Goebbels, Delmer concluded, was more Goebbels. His radio show became a grotesque cabaret aimed at the worst and most Schwein -like aspects of human nature.

As Peter Pomerantsev writes in his compelling new study How to Win an Information War , Delmer was a “nearly forgotten genius of propaganda”. GS1 backed Hitler and was staunchly anti-Bolshevik. Its mysterious leader, dubbed der Chef , ridiculed Churchill using foul Berlin slang. At the same time the station lambasted the Nazi elite as a group of decadent crooks. They stole and whored, it said, as British planes bombed and decent Germans suffered.

Delmer’s goal was to undermine nazism from within, by turning ordinary citizens against their aloof party bosses. A cast of Jewish refugees and former cabaret artists played the role of Nazis. Recordings took place in a billiards room, located inside the Woburn Abbey estate in Bedfordshire, a centre of wartime operations. Some of the content was real. Other elements were made up, including titillating accounts of SS orgies at a Bavarian monastery.

The station was a sensation. Large numbers of Germans tuned in. The US embassy in Berlin – America had yet to enter the war – thought it to be the work of German nationalists or disgruntled army officers. The Nazis fretted about its influence. One unimpressed person was Stafford Cripps, the future chancellor of the exchequer, who complained to Anthony Eden, the then minister for foreign affairs, about the station’s use of “filthy pornography”.

By 1943, Delmer’s counter-propaganda operation had grown. He and his now expanded team ran a live news bulletin aimed at German soldiers, the Soldatensender Calais , as well as a series of clandestine radio programmes in a variety of languages. Delmer’s artist wife Isabel joined in. She drew explicit pictures showing a blonde woman having sex with a dark-skinned foreigner. Partisans sent the pamphlets to homesick German troops stationed in Crete.

Others who made a contribution to Delmer’s productions included Ian Fleming , the creator of James Bond, and the 26-year-old future novelist Muriel Spark. Fleming worked for naval intelligence. He brought titbits of information that made the show feel genuine, including the latest results from U-boat football leagues. Many Germans guessed the station was British. But they listened anyway, feeling it represented “them”.

Pomerantsev is an expert on propaganda and the author of two previous books on the subject, Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible and This Is Not Propaganda . The son of political dissidents in Kyiv, he was born in Ukraine and grew up in London. During the 00s he lived in Moscow and worked there as a TV producer. Since Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion he has been part of a project that documents Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Like Delmer, Pomeranstev has personal experience of two rival cultures: one authoritarian, the other liberal and democratic. He draws parallels between the fascist 1930s and our own populist age. The same “underlying mindset” can be seen in dictators such as Putin and Xi Jinping, and wannabe strongmen and bullies such as Donald Trump. “Propagandists across the world and across the ages play on the same emotional notes like well-worn scales,” he observes.

In Pomerantsev’s view, propaganda works not because it convinces, or even confuses. Its real power lies in its ability to convey a sense of belonging, he argues. Those left behind feel themselves emboldened and part of a special community. It is a world of grievance, victimhood and enemies, where facts are meaningless. What matters are feelings and the illusion propaganda lends of “individual agency”. Its practitioners bend reality. And – as with Putin’s fictions about Ukraine – make murder possible.

The book offers a few ideas as to how we might fight back. When horrors were uncovered in Bucha , the town near Kyiv where Russian soldiers executed civilians, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, appealed to the Russian people. This didn’t cut through. Most preferred to believe the version shown on state TV: that Moscow was waging a defensive fight against “neo-Nazis”. It was a comforting lie that absolved Russians of personal responsibility.

Ukrainian activists hit a similar wall when they cold-called Russians and told them about the destruction caused by Kremlin bombing. On assignment for the Guardian in spring 2022, I chatted with Ukrainian refugees who had fled their homes in Kharkiv. Many called relatives in St Petersburg and other Russian cities to explain they were under attack. Typically, their family members did not believe them. “They really brainwashed you over there,” one said.

The activists had more success when they mentioned taxes or travel restrictions – issues that spoke to the self-interested “pig-dog”. Pomerantsev suggests that Delmer’s approach worked because he allowed people to care about the truth again, nudging them towards independent thought, while avoiding the pitfall of obvious disloyalty. He brought wit and creativity to his anti-propaganda efforts as well, turning his radio shows into bravura transmissions.

Pomerantsev makes an intriguing comparison between der Chef and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Russian oligarch who in summer 2023 staged a short-lived rebellion against Putin. Two months later, Prigozhin died in a plane crash. The oligarch was a charismatic figure who roasted Russia’s generals for their incompetent handling of the war. He used earthy prison slang. It was this ability to communicate in plain language that made him popular – and a rival.

The book muses on whether Delmer was ultimately good or bad. Are tricks and subterfuge justified in pursuit of noble goals? It concludes that the journalist’s greatest insight was his understanding of his own ordinariness, and how this might be exploited by unscrupulous governments and rabble-rousing individuals. “He was vulnerable to propaganda for the same reasons we all are – through the need to fit in and conform,” Pomerantsev notes.

Luke Harding’s Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival , published by Guardian Faber , was recently named Ukraine’s nonfiction book of the year

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