Six Great Audiobooks for your TBR

I only started listening to audiobooks two years ago. Before that, I always thought I didn’t like them. Not in a they-don’t-count-as-real-reading way but more in a I-don’t-like-when-narrators-voices-don’t-sound-like-I-image-the characters-would kind of way. My first audiobook that I listened to all the way through was Rebel Belles, and since then I have branched out a lot and I have learned to love audiobooks. I listen to them while getting ready, while cooking, while walking, and while falling asleep. They are great whether you want to multitask, or just want to sit down and listen to a great story.

I know that I am always on the hunt for my next audiobook, so today I want to share with you six of my favorite audiobooks, perfect whether you are a seasoned audiobook fan, or first venturing into the foray of audiobooks.

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, Narrated by the author

Genre: adult nonfiction, essays/memoir

As a fan of The Anthropocene Reviewed podcast, I knew that I really wanted to experience the audiobook version of The Anthropocene Reviewed. I am happy to say it did not disappoint! Green does a fantastic job with the narration. In addition, there are three bonus essays in the audiobook that are not in the print version.

Beach Read by Emily Henry, Narrated by Julia Whelan

Genre: adult contemporary romance

If you’ve been here a while, it’s no secret that I love Beach Read. But did you know that the first time I read Beach Read, I actually listened to the audiobook? I absolutely love Whelan’s narration; I think she perfectly captures January’s voice. This is both my comfort book and my comfort audiobook, I just keep coming back to it.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Narrated by Shayna Small

Genre: adult literary fiction, historical fiction

The Vanishing Half is one that I only read last year, but became an instant favorite. Bennett had such an amazing cast of characters, I just wanted to stay with them forever. I read it as an audiobook, and I think Small did a great job of bringing the dynamic characters to life. Which is especially impressive given the many different points of view the book was written from.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, Narrated by Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, and Bahni Turpin

Genre: adult fantasy, magical realism

I think the full audiobook cast really adds to the magic of The Starless Sea. I originally picked up the audiobook as a re-read just to have something to listen to as I went to sleep. And although I am glad I read the print version first, I am also really glad I picked up the audiobook. Listening to The Starless Sea feels like you’re being wrapped in a warm blanket and being told a bedtime story.

Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde, Narrated by Robin Eller

Genre: adult nonfiction, essays

Personally, I love listening to nonfiction books as audiobooks. Nonfiction can sometimes be more difficult to read than fiction, but I generally find listening to them easier. It’s almost like listening to a podcast. I had wanted to read more Audre Lorde for over a year, since I had read and fallen in love with one of her essays in one of my classes, and I finally picked up the audiobook of Sister Outsider. I would say the only downside was that sometimes I realized “wow that quote is amazing!” and had to do a frantic backskip so I could write it down.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, Narrated by the author and Melania Luisa Marte

Genre: young adult fiction, contemporary, verse

I had to save the best for last! This summer I tried out the audiobook of With the Fire on High and really enjoyed it, so when I was looking for another audiobook to pick up and found Clap When You Land I decided to give it a try, and ended up loving it! I don’t want to oversell here, but this is one of the best audiobooks I have ever listened to. The story itself was amazing; Acevedo did an amazing job with the characters and the complex emotions they were each dealing with. And then on top of that, the audiobook experience was absolutely phenomenal. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend you check this one out.

Do you have any favorite audiobooks? Please let me know below, I always love to get more audiobook recs! And if you have listened to any of these, let me know what you think, I would love to hear your thoughts!