The Ultimate List: 500+ Highly Recommended Audiobooks

Get ready to expand your listening queue! This extensive compilation features a wide array of genres, from poignant historical fiction and gripping thrillers to insightful non-fiction and laugh-out-loud comedies. Whether you’re seeking your next great escape or a thought-provoking narrative, you’re sure to find something to capture your imagination.

• *Anxious People (Mel’s detailed review: A truly captivating narrative that expertly blends humor with profound human emotion. Fredrik Backman’s signature writing style shines through, making this a 4/5 read for its unique character development and thought-provoking plot. It’s a testament to how strangers’ lives can intertwine in unexpected and heartwarming ways.)
• *As You Wish (non-fiction about The Princess Bride Movie) (Mel’s detailed review: An absolute delight for any fan of the beloved film! This non-fiction gem provides an exceptional behind-the-scenes look at the making of “The Princess Bride.” It’s filled with fascinating anecdotes and insights, making it a perfect 5/5 audiobook experience. A must-listen for cinephiles and story lovers alike.)
• *Be Ready When the Luck Happens (Ina Garten Memoir)
• *Beneath a Scarlet Sky (Mel’s detailed review: One of the most gripping and emotionally resonant World War II stories I have ever encountered. Based on a true story, its vivid portrayal of courage and sacrifice under extraordinary circumstances earns it a solid 5/5. The narrative is powerful and unforgettable, truly bringing history to life.)
• *Born a Crime
• *Broken Country
• *Code Name Helene
• *Daisy Jones and the Six
• *Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto
• *Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan
• *Everything is Tuberculosis
• *Flavia de Luce Mystery Series
• *From Scratch by Lembi Locke
• *Frozen River (Mel’s detailed review: I have mixed feelings about this one. While the story itself was undeniably interesting, the audiobook’s portrayal of characters, their dialogue, and actions felt oddly modern for a setting in the 1700s, which detracted from the historical immersion. I rated it 3.5/5. Content warning: The book discusses rape and contains several gruesome/violent scenes, which some listeners may find disturbing.)
• *Go as a River (Mel’s detailed review: I genuinely wanted to fall in love with this book, as the premise was intriguing. However, I found myself encountering too many unbelievable elements within the narrative, which unfortunately made it difficult for me to fully engage and appreciate the rest of the story. My rating stands at 3/5.)
• *Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
• *James by Percival Everett (Mel’s detailed review: Without exaggeration, this is one of the most brilliant and impactful books I have ever had the privilege to read/listen to. Percival Everett’s masterful storytelling is a profound experience, earning it a perfect 5/5. Content warning: Be advised that the book contains instances of violence, some strong language, and themes of sexual assault.)
• *Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
• *Leanne Morgan’s autobiography What in the World
• *My Lady Jane (Mel’s detailed review: It’s been a considerable time since I delved into this historical fantasy, but my enduring memory is of its brilliant wit and infectious humor. I recall it being a delightful and highly entertaining listen, definitely a 5/5 for its cleverness and engaging narrative.)
• *Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt
• *Project Hail Mary (Mel’s detailed review: I initially doubted my interest in this science fiction subject matter, especially given the book’s considerable length. However, I was completely captivated from the outset, finding myself hooked and ultimately loving every moment. It’s a surprisingly engaging and imaginative 5/5 journey into the unknown.)
• *Remarkably Bright Creatures (Mel’s detailed review: Reviews for this book are quite varied, but I personally found it to be an exceptionally endearing and charming read. The unique blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling resonated deeply with me, making it a solid 4/5 for its warmth and captivating narrative style.)
• *Sunrise on the Reaping
• *The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife
• *The Dutch House read by Tom Hanks (Mel’s detailed review: I would certainly recommend this book, especially for its compelling story and Tom Hanks’s excellent narration. However, it is a distinctly slow-paced read, and I acknowledge it may not appeal to all listeners. While interesting, it doesn’t quite make my list of all-time favorites. It’s a thoughtful 3.5/5.)
• *The Favorites by Layne Fargo (Mel’s detailed review: The premise of this book, revolving around ice dancing and Olympic dreams, was genuinely fascinating. Despite this, I felt the story often dragged, and by the end, I struggled to care much for the largely unlikeable characters. I rated it 3/5. Content warning: The book includes a fair amount of strong language and some explicit sexual content.)
• *The Finlay Donovon series
• *The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley
• *The House in the Cerulean Sea
• *The House of My Mother by Shari Franke
• *The Labors of Hercules Beal
• *The Lion Women of Tehran
• *The Lovely War (Mel’s detailed review: This is another exceptional book that translates beautifully into audio, enhanced by a full cast of characters. The storytelling is rich and immersive, offering a truly captivating experience. I absolutely adored this one, giving it a resounding 5/5 for its masterful execution.)
• *The Maid (Mel’s detailed review: This book proved to be truly fascinating and quite distinct from any other I’ve listened to recently. Its quirky mystery and unique narrative approach were highly enjoyable, making it a solid 4/5 for its originality and engaging plot.)
• *The Nightingale (Mel’s detailed review: It has been several years since I first read this powerful novel, yet it remains firmly etched in my memory as an all-time favorite. The intricate weaving of stories and historical context is simply unmatched, and it stands as one of the very few books that brought me to tears by its poignant conclusion. A timeless 5/5 masterpiece.)
• *The Second Life of Murielle West
• *The Small and the Mighty (Mel’s detailed review: The incredible, inspiring stories encapsulated within this book deserve to be known globally. It is an uplifting and essential read, which I rated 5/5. Disclaimer: I read this book in print, rather than listening to the audiobook version.)
• *The Things We Cannot Say
• *The Thursday Murder Club
• *The Unmaking of June Farrow (Mel’s detailed review: This book has a notably slow beginning, causing me to stop and restart it multiple times. However, it truly picks up about halfway through, developing a compelling story arc. While the time travel elements were somewhat mind-bending and left a few loose ends I couldn’t fully rationalize, I largely enjoyed the narrative, giving it a 3.5/5 overall.)
• *The Wedding Dress Sewing Circles
• *The Women (Mel’s detailed review: I find myself in the surprising minority of people who didn’t absolutely adore this book. While most will likely love it, I personally didn’t connect with it for multiple reasons, which I’ve discussed at length on Instagram – an experience that, interestingly, generated a lot of spirited debate! My personal rating is 3/5.)
• *Thursday Murder Club
• *Tom Lake (narrated by Meryl Streep)
• *Tress of the Emerald Sea
• *Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Vera Wong
• *We Solve Murders
• A Calamity of Souls
• A Court of Thorn and Roses
• A Fall of Marigolds
• A Gentleman in Moscow (Mel’s detailed review: This is certainly not a page-turner in the traditional sense; it’s a beautifully slow and contemplative read. However, I was utterly captivated by the exquisite writing style and the charming, unique story. It’s a 4/5 for those who appreciate literary craftsmanship and a gentle pace.)
• A Girl Called Samson
• A Good Girls Guide to Murder Trilogy
• A Heart Worth Stealing
• A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin
• A Life in Parts
• A Long Way Down
• A Long Way from Chicago
• A Man Called Ove (Mel’s detailed review: I found this story to be incredibly endearing and profoundly moving. The writing style is charming and draws you into Ove’s world, making you root for him despite his gruff exterior. It’s a heartwarming 4/5 read that truly resonates.)
• A Most Agreeable Murder
• A Place to Hang the Moon
• A Shadow in Moscow
• A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
• A Thousand Naked Strangers (strange title but funny book about paramedic’s account)
• A Thousand Ships
• A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
• A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko
• A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
• A Woman in the Polar Night
• Abby Jiminez books
• About Average by Andrew Clements
• Agatha Raisin series by MC Beaton
• Alcatraz vs the Evil Librarians
• All Creatures Great and Small
• All in Her Head
• All That Life Can Afford
• All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese
• All the Broken Places
• All the Colors of the Dark (Mel’s detailed review: I don’t believe this book was quite for me. I felt the story unnecessarily prolonged, stretching to double the length it truly needed. While the initial section was gripping and highly intriguing, I struggled to form a connection with the characters and only just managed to finish it. It’s a super interesting concept, but a challenging listen at 3/5.)
• All the Glimmering Stars
• All the Light We Cannot See (Mel’s detailed review: This is a longer book that, for me, took some time to truly get into. However, once I did, I found myself completely immersed and ended up loving it deeply. Its historical depth and poignant narrative make it a powerful 4.5/5.)
• All the Lonely People
• All the Other Mothers Hate Me
• American Dirt
• Amy Snow
• An oral history of 9/11 by Garrett Graff
• And Then There Were None
• Andy Carpenter Series
• Anneka Walker books
• Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green (Mel’s detailed review: John Green consistently proves himself to be an exceptional writer, and this book is no exception. It’s an informative, witty, and wonderfully quirky collection of essays that provided pure enjoyment from start to finish. A definite 4/5 for its unique perspective and engaging voice.)
• As Bright as Heaven
• As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow
• Ashley Weaver series
• Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
• Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
• Bad Blood
• Bartimaeus Trilogy
• Beartown
• Becky Wade
• Becoming Madam Secretary
• Before We Were Yours
• Being Mortal
• Beneath the Wide Silk Sky
• Beyond the Bear
• Beyond the Lavender Fields
• Bluebird
• Bone Houses
• Book of Doors
• Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
• Boys in the Boat
• Brad Metzler’s presidential conspiracy books
• Brandi Carlile book
• Brave
• Broken Horses
• Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old
• But He’s a Carter Brother series by Anna Conwell
• By Any Other Name
• Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera
• Careless People
• Carrie Soto is Back
• Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
• Cathedral of the Wild
• Challenger by Adam Higginbotham (Mel’s detailed review: This book is incredibly intense, particularly with its deep dive into astronautics and space engineering information. Despite the technical detail, it provides a truly fascinating and comprehensive account of the historical events that ultimately led to the Challenger disaster. A powerful 4/5 read.)
• Christy by Catherine Marshall (Mel’s detailed review: I first read this book as a young girl, so it carries a strong sense of nostalgia for me. Beyond that personal connection, it remains a timeless classic and an incredibly good story, rich with character and heart. A cherished 5/5.)
• Cindy Steel books
• Circe narrated by Perdita Weeks
• City of Tranquil Light
• Code Name Blue Wren
• Colleen Colby books
• Compared
• Counting the Cost
• Courtney Walsh books
• Crimes Against a Book Club
• Criminal
• Crimson Moth Series
• Culinary Mysteries by Josi Kilpack
• Cynric Temple (macabre…forensic pathologist)
• Davis Copperfield
• Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer
• Death and Life of Aida Hernandez
• Death on the Nile
• Delete That by John Crist
• Demon Copperhead
• Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
• Did I Ever Tell You?
• Divine Rivals series (Mel’s detailed review: This genre isn’t my typical preference, but I found myself enjoying these stories for their engaging narrative and unique premise. I rated the series 3.5/5. Content warning: Please note that the books contain some language and sexual content.)
• Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table
• Drowning Woman
• Dune
• Eddie Winston is Looking for Love
• Edenbrooke (Mel’s detailed review: I found this book a bit too airy and, at times, cheesy for my taste. The story and writing style lacked the depth I usually seek in a novel, and as a result, I simply didn’t enjoy the experience very much. A 3/5 for its light-hearted but somewhat superficial approach.)
• Educated
• Eleanor Oliphant (Mel’s detailed review: I have a deep appreciation for stories featuring quirky, nuanced characters, and this book certainly delivered on that front. The narrative skillfully alternates between gentle comedy and lighthearted moments, transitioning into fairly heavy and profound content. A compelling 3.5/5 that offers both laughs and thoughtful reflection.)
• Ember in the Ashes
• Emily of New Moon
• Emma St Claire books
• Empire of Pain (Mel’s detailed review: I consider this non-fiction book an absolute must-read. It delves into a subject that is both utterly fascinating and profoundly horrifying, offering a crucial insight into a significant historical issue. A powerful and essential 5/5.)
• Enchantment
• Endurance by Alfred Lansing (unabridged)
• Enola Holmes series
• Even This
• Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
• Fairy Tale by Stephen King (not a horror book)
• Falling for Your Best Friends Twin (clean series)
• Fallout by Steve Sheinkin
• Fear is Just a Word (true story)
• Ferris by Kate DiCamillo
• Finding Me by Viola Davis
• Fiona Barton books
• Firekeepers Daughter
• Forty Autumns
• Fountains of Silence
• Four Winds
• Frankenstein
• Frieda McFadden Books
• From Here to Eternity
• Fury series by Sara Larson
• Gamache series by Louise Penny Armand
• Giver of Stars (Mel’s detailed review: I truly, genuinely enjoyed this book. It explored a historical subject that I knew very little about, and JoJo Moyes’s writing is, as always, exceptional and deeply engaging. It’s a strong 4/5. Content warning: The book does contain some language.)
• God of the Woods
• God’s Smuggler
• Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson
• Good Energy
• Harry Potter
• Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
• Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club
• Healing the Mountain Man’s Heart
• Heartstone (Pride and Prejudice with dragons)
• Heartwood
• Hello Beautiful
• Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
• Henry Winkler Autobiography (he reads it)
• Here Be Dragons
• Here One Moment (Mel’s detailed review: This story masterfully kept me guessing and engaged throughout its entirety. I particularly enjoyed the varied perspectives and its poignant message to live life to the fullest. A compelling 4/5. Content warning: The book includes some language and sexual content.)
• Hidden Places
• Hobbit
• Home Front by Kristin Hannah
• Homecoming
• Horse by Geraldine Brooks
• How to Age Disgracefully
• How to Hide and Empire by Daniel Immerwahr
• How to Read a Book
• Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd
• I Must Betray You
• I Thought it Would be Better Than This
• I’ll Push You
• If I Were You by Sarah Zimmerman
• In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber
• Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
• Inspector Gamache books by Louise Penny
• Iona Iverson Rules for Commuting
• Isola (historical fiction)
• It’s Strange and Fascinating
• Jane Eyre
• Jeneva Rose books
• Jennifer Peel books
• Joanne Flue
• Joe Pickett books
• John Marrs books (The One, The Family Experiment)
• Josiah’s Fire
• Jurassic Park
• Just the Nicest Couple
• Karen Witemeyer
• Kate Morton books
• Katherine Center Books
• Katherine May books
• Keeper of the Bees
• King: A Life
• Kristin Hannah books
• Lakeshire Park
• Last Christmas in Paris by Hazel Gaynor (narration is fabulous)
• Law of Love by Steve Young
• Left to Tell
• Lessons in Chemistry
• Let Them by Mel Robbins
• Let Us Descend
• Library of Borrowed Hearts
• Life Is So Good
• Lilac Girls
• Lisa See books for historical fiction
• Lockwood and Co
• London Edward Rutherford
• Lonesome Dove
• Long Bright River
• Love Elixir of Augusta Stern
• Lulu Deans Little Library of Banned Books
• Lunar Chronicles series
• Mad Honey
• Magic Hour
• Maisie Dobbs Series by Jacqueline Winspear
• Making Faces
• Mariana by Susanna Kearsley
• Mary Conner Sky
• Mastering the Art of French Murder (fun story)
• Max in the House of Spies
• Meet Me in the Margins
• Michelle Obama’s autobiography
• Miss Fortune Series by Jana de Leon
• Mistborn
• Morgan is My Name by Sophie Keetch
• Mother Daughter Murder Night
• Mrs Frisby and the Rats of Nihm
• Mrs Pollifax Series
• Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame
• Ms. Bensons Beetle
• Murder in Highbury
• Murder of Roger
• Murder on the Orient Express
• Murderbot Series (Probably PG-13 for language)
• Museum of Ordinary People
• My Antonia
• My Brilliant Friend
• Mystic Jesus by Williams
• Mythos
• Nesting by Rosie O’ Donnell
• Nevermoor series
• Nichole Van’s Penn-Leith Scot Regency Romance (Start with Love Practically)
• Night Road
• Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
• None of This is True (thriller)
• Northwoods
• Novel Threat by Tracy Hunter Abramson
• Once Upon a Wardrobe
• One by One by Ruth Ware
• One for the Blackbird One for the Crows
• Only the Beautiful
• Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger
• Out of Egypt Series (lots of crossover between ancient Hebrews and LDS)
• Outlive by Peter Attia
• Pale Horse by Scott Payne
• Partials by Dan Wells
• Peace Like a River (Mel’s detailed review: It’s been a significant amount of time since I last read this book, but my enduring memory is that it was one of my absolute favorite reads from over a decade ago. Its unique narrative and profound themes left a lasting impression, earning it a 4/5.)
• Persian Pickle Club
• Peter and the Star Catchers
• Pictures of You
• Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch
• Powerless
• Prayers for Sale
• Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict
• Raising Hare
• Ready Player One narrated by Will Wheaton
• Red Queen
• Red Rising
• Robinson Crusoe
• Robinswood series by Jean Granger
• Rock Paper Scissors
• Rom-commers
• Rook by Sharon Cameron
• Room for Good
• Rosecode
• Running with Sherman
• Ruta Sepytus books
• Ruth Ware books
• Sackett series by Louis Lamour
• Sand and Ash
• Sara Eden
• Sarah Adams books
• Saving CeCe Honeycutt
• Say You’ll Remember Me
• Scot Regency Romance Series
• Season for Second Chances
• Secret Life of Addie Larue
• Seeking Persephone by Sarah M Eden
• Self Help by G. Bernstein
• Set The Stars Alight
• She Would be King
• She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica
• Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
• Sisters Under the Rising Sun
• Six Crimson Cranes
• Slow March of Light
• Solito
• Spare by Prince Harry
• Star Spangled Jesus
• Start with Love Practically
• Steven Fry’s Greek Mythology books (start with Mythos)
• Summer of Yes
• Summerhaven by Tiffany Oedkirk
• Summerlin Groves
• Sweethaven Summer
• Take My Hand
• Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham
• Talking to Strangers
• Tattoo on the Heart (incredible but some swearing)
• Taylor Jenkins Reid books
• Thank you for Listening
• That’s Not My Name
• The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi
• The Anxious Generation
• The Art of Gathering
• The Beekeeper’s Apprentice
• The Berry Pickers
• The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys
• The Blonde Identity
• The Body in the Library
• The Bomber Mafia by Malcom Gladwell
• The Book Lover’s Library by Madeline Martin
• The Book of Doors
• The Book of Longings
• The Book of Lost Friends (Mel’s detailed review: This book is an absolute masterpiece of historical fiction, offering a profoundly moving and captivating narrative that I cannot recommend highly enough. Its intricate storytelling and compelling characters make it a perfect 5/5 read.)
• The Book of Lost Names
• The Book Thief
• The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek (Mel’s detailed review: This book shares a wonderfully similar narrative style and poignant themes with “Giver of Stars” by JoJo Moyes. I thoroughly enjoyed both books for their compelling stories and historical richness, rating this one a strong 4.5/5.)
• The Boys in the Boat (Mel’s detailed review: This is another story that, surprisingly, captured my complete interest despite its subject matter – competitive rowing – not typically being my genre. The narrative is utterly fascinating, filled with incredible human spirit and historical detail, making it impossible to put down. A compelling 4.5/5.)
• The Briar Club
• The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett
• The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger
• The Chronicles of Narnia
• The Covenant of water
• The Crash
• The Darling Dahlias
• The David Rose Felt Series
• The Day the World Came to Town
• The Devil Wears Scrubs (short, funny, light-hearted)
• The Diamond Eye
• The Downstairs Girl (read like a k-drama)
• The Dread Penny Society by Sarah M Eden
• The Dresden Files
• The Eagle and the Hart by Helen Castor
• The Elephant Whisperer
• The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko
• The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold
• The Extraordinary life of Sam Hell
• The Eyes and The Impossible
• The First Girl Child
• The First Ladies
• The Flight Girls
• The Forbidden Orchid
• The Forgotten Garden (Mel’s detailed review: I am a devoted admirer of Kate Morton’s distinctive writing style, and this novel stands out as one of her very best works. Its intricate plot, atmospheric setting, and compelling mysteries make it a delightful and immersive 4/5 read.)
• The Four Winds
• The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
• The Girl with Seven Names
• The Girl with the Louding Voice
• The God of the Woods
• The Good Sister
• The Grace Year
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (Mel’s detailed review: I wholeheartedly recommend this enchanting book. Its wonderful writing and gripping story are a testament to the power of community and resilience during wartime. A truly charming and compelling 4/5 listen.)
• The Guest List by Lucy Foley
• The Help (Mel’s detailed review: This remains, without a doubt, one of my all-time favorite books. Its powerful narrative, unforgettable characters, and important historical context make it a truly impactful and essential 5/5 read.)
• The Hiding Place
• The Hobbit/LOTR (narrated by Andy Serkis)
• The House is on Fire
• The House of Eve Johnson
• The Huntress by Kate Quinn
• The In-Between
• The Invention of Wings
• The Island of the Sea Women (Mel’s detailed review: I found this book incredibly enlightening, as it introduced me to a culture and era I was previously unfamiliar with. Its rich details and compelling story made for a thoroughly enjoyable and informative experience. A strong 4/5.)
• The Kitchen Front
• The Lady and the Highwayman
• The Last Bookshop in London
• The Last Love Note
• The Last Thing He Told Me
• The Last Train to Key West
• The Last Year of the War
• The Law of Love
• The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon (Mel’s detailed review: I am a huge admirer of Amy Harmon’s storytelling, and this book is no exception. Her unique narrative voice and emotionally resonant plots always leave a lasting impression. I love all of her books wholeheartedly!)
• The Lemon Tart by Josi S Kilpack
• The Let Them Theory
• The Letter Tree
• The Lies We Leave Behind by Noelle Salazar
• The Life Giving Home
• The Light in Hidden Places
• The Lincoln Highway
• The Lost Bookshelf
• The Lost Passenger
• The Love Note by Emma Gray
• The Magic of Lemon Drop Ie
• The Many Lives of Mama Love
• The Marriage Portrait
• The Marsh King’s Daughter
• The Martian
• The Measure
• The Midnight Library
• The Minders
• The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise
• The Mountain Between Us (Mel’s detailed review: This book left me feeling rather conflicted. While it garners excellent reviews and presents an interesting story, I personally dislike feeling “tricked” by a narrative, and I felt that happened here. A 3.5/5, but be prepared for a twist.)
• The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel
• The Nature of Fragile Things
• The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher
• The Night Circus
• The Night of the Living Deed by EJ Copperman
• The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency
• The One with the Kiss Cam
• The Only Plane in the Sky
• The Other Bennet Sister
• The Outlaw Noble Salt
• The Outlaws Scarlet and Browne
• The Paper Daughters of China
• The Paris Daughter
• The Pecan Man
• The Perfect RomCom
• The Power of Moments
• The Powerless trilogy
• The Radium Girls
• The Reading list
• The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
• The Rent Collector by Camron Wright (Mel’s detailed review: I read this a considerable time ago, but it remains vividly in my memory as an utterly fascinating and profoundly humbling story. Its unique setting and characters offer a perspective that is both captivating and thought-provoking. A solid 4/5.)
• The Residence (household staff in the White House)
• The River We Remember
• The Robe by Lloyd Douglas
• The Romcommers
• The Rose Code by Kate Quinn (Mel’s detailed review: I thoroughly enjoyed this compelling historical fiction novel. Kate Quinn’s ability to weave intricate plots with strong female characters set against significant historical backdrops is consistently impressive. A solid 4/5 read!)
• The Rosie Project
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
• The Saint Squad by Traci Hunter Abramson
• The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennett, Witch
• The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry (clean and hilarious)
• The Secret Keeper
• The Selection Series
• The Seven Sister by Lucinda Riley
• The Shoemakers Wife
• The Silent Patient
• The Snow Child
• The Spy and I
• The Stolen Queen
• The Story She Left Behind
• The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
• The Strike Series by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)
• The Summer of Yes
• The Summer She Went Missing
• The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
• The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat
• The Third Gilmore Girl
• The Thirteenth Tale
• The Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer
• The Utterly Uninteresting Unadventurous Tales of Fred the Vampire Accountant
• The Vaster Wilds
• The War that Saved My Life
• The Warmth of Other Suns
• The Wedding People
• The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
• The wife Upstairs
• The Will of the Many by James Islington
• The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
• The Woman They Could Not Silence (Mel’s detailed review: This book was an absolutely and completely eye-opening experience for me. Its powerful narrative and important historical context place it firmly in the “must be read by everyone” category. A profound and essential 5/5.)
• The Women on Platform Two
• The Words We Lost by Nicole Deese
• The Younger Wife
• These Is My Words (Mel’s detailed review: This book holds a special place in my heart and will forever remain one of my absolute favorite books of all time. Its unique voice, compelling story, and profound impact are simply unparalleled. A timeless 5/5 masterpiece.)
• These Silent Woods (not scary)
• Things to Run Wild by Josh Nadeau
• Things We Never Say by Weaver
• Things You Save in a Fire
• This is How it Always is
• Throne of Glass series
• Through Thorny Ways
• Timeless Series
• Tracie Peterson
• Tracy H. Abramson
• Under the Java Moon
• Unlikely Animals
• Unreasonable Hospitality
• Uprising
• Waves of Mercy
• We Were the Lucky Ones
• Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop
• West with Giraffes
• What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
• What Happened to You with Oprah
• What the Wind Knows
• When in Rome by Sara Adams
• When the Day Comes by Gabrielle MEyer
• When We Were Young
• Where the Lost Wander
• Whistling Past the Graveyard
• Wild Dark Shore
• Word Gets Around
• Wrapped in Rain
• Wrong place, Wrong Time
• Yellow Wife
• You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
• You Killed Me First
• Young Woman and the Sea

Tips for Maximizing Your Audiobook Experience

With such a vast library of recommendations, choosing your next listen can feel a bit daunting! Here are a few tips to help you navigate this exciting list and find the perfect audiobook for your current mood:

• Explore Different Genres: Don’t limit yourself! If you usually stick to mysteries, try a highly-rated non-fiction memoir, or a whimsical fantasy novel. You might discover a new favorite genre.
• Listen to Samples: Before committing to a full audiobook, always listen to a sample of the narration. The narrator’s voice and style can significantly impact your enjoyment of the story.
• Check Content Warnings: If certain themes or elements are sensitive for you, take a moment to research the book’s content warnings, especially for the books not personally reviewed by Mel.
• Consider Your Activity: Are you looking for something light and engaging for chores, or a deep, thought-provoking narrative for long drives? Match the book to your activity for maximum enjoyment.
• Join the Conversation: Many audiobook platforms and online communities thrive on discussion. Share your thoughts and discover what others loved (or didn’t!) about a particular title.

Join the Audiobook Community!

This incredible list is a testament to the vibrant and passionate community of audiobook listeners out there. It’s truly inspiring to see so many diverse recommendations, reflecting a wide array of interests and tastes. Whether you’re a seasoned listener or just starting your audiobook journey, I hope this curated collection introduces you to new authors, genres, and unforgettable stories.

Have you listened to any of these amazing audiobooks? Do you have additional recommendations that you think should be added to our growing list? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your favorite audiobooks and why you love them in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram. Happy listening!