20 of the Best Audiobooks of All Time

Adapted from Kendi’s Stamped From the Beginning, this bestseller approaches complex topics in a kid-friendly way. Jason Reynolds’s performance reminds us why he is so well-loved by kids and teachers alike.

This well-known work was the winner of the Audie for Multi-Voiced Performance in 2014. Combining the original abridged recording and new unabridged recordings, the audiobook boasts the voice talents of celebrities like Mark Hamill.

I, an uncultured swine, had never seen The Exorcist when I decided to listen to the audiobook. Dear reader, that was a mistake. After listening to this incredible performance of the deeply disturbing source material, the movie adaptation paled in comparison. This is a must-listen for any self-respecting horror fan.

This audiobook was a 2013 Audie Award Nominee for Children’s Titles for Ages 8–12. Of course, a story written in two voices is perfect for multiple narrators. The two readers both give masterful performances that capture the very different voices of the two protagonists.

The term “a full cast” is an understatement here. This 2018 Audie Award winner for Audiobook of the Year is read by 166 narrators. Among them are celebrities like Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, Susan Sarandon, Bill Hader, and more.

Elizabeth Acevedo is easily one of the most vital voices of our time. She lends her voice to this audiobook, bringing her unique insight into the characters to her performance. This beautiful novel-in-verse is perfect for audio, so it’s a true treat for the ears.

I know I just said this about Elizabeth Acevedo, but Jacqueline Woodson is unarguably one of the best authors of our time. Brown Girl Dreaming is a the story of Woodson’s childhood, told in beautiful verse. Naturally, there’s no better reader for it than the author herself.

Roy Dotrice is one of the best audiobook narrators of all time. Consequently, he is the perfect voice for such an epic story. He does the sprawling cast of characters justice with his incredibly varied voice work.

Mother Maya Angelou needs no introduction. Her words are poetry and she delivers them like no one else could. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is an autobiographical tale of pain and resilience that has inspired readers for decades.

The Stand is an epic story of a civilization-ending illness that maybe hits too close to home in the current era. Still, Grover Gardner’s performance is absolutely spellbinding. Each of the many characters has a unique voice, complete with subtle nuances that reflect a deep understanding of the source material.

I hate to mention those magic books I so love (because of their hateful TERF of an author), but the audiobook performance is superb. Jim Dale is incredible and does all the voices in distinct and engaging ways. While The Night Circus doesn’t have as many unique characters as those books, it’s a great book and Dale does a phenomenal job.

Bahni Turpin is one of my favorite audiobook narrators (which is why she’s making another appearance on this list). She captures protagonist Starr perfectly in Angie Thomas’s seminal novel, The Hate U Give. While Starr is written as a relatable character you can’t help but root for, Turpin truly brings her to life.

Let me count the ways I love Trevor Noah. Actually, we haven’t got the time or space for that. Instead, I will just say his memoir was made to be listened to. The Xhosa and Zulu language interwoven through the story are so beautiful in his voice. You just can’t get the same experience reading this one on the page.

Perdita Weeks outdoes herself in this audio recording. Circe on audio is an EXPERIENCE. For 12 hours, you will become lost in a world that feels more real than our own, thanks to Weeks’s stellar performance.

Tom. Hanks. Need I say more?

Here we have another absolute icon reading an iconic story in her own voice. The pain on the page becomes that much more heartwrenching in Morrison’s vocal performance. Whether you’ve read this Pulitzer Prize–winner or not, the audiobook is more than worth your time.

I listened to this book earlier this year and I cannot express how much I recommend you do the same. It’s a touching, outlandish, and hilarious story as written, but Marin Ireland takes it to an entirely new level. Her use of dialect and the raw honesty of her performance is unparalleled. Seriously, listen to it immediately.

Finally, if you didn’t know Michelle Obama’s memoir would be on this list, then you likely are new to the world of audiobooks. This Grammy Award Winner for Best Spoken Word Album 2020 is a refreshingly honest, inspiring look at the life of our former First Lady. Nobody could’ve read it like she did, so we’re all lucky she took the narration reins.