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As Certified Readers®, we’re here to remind you that any and all kinds of reading makes you a reader. Yes, Kindles and audiobooks count, and we won’t hear otherwise. We personally love audiobooks for walks outside, work-from-home days, or anytime we want to make daily chores feel less boring. And if you’ve ever been intimidated by a 500-page physical copy, try the audiobook version instead. Today, we’re rounding up some of our favorites for those in a reading slump, or those who are looking to get into audiobooks but don’t know where to start. Happy listening.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
“I read Ann Patchett’s newest novel recently, but I’m planning to listen to the audiobook version, too. The biggest reason why? Meryl Streep narrates. Tom Lake follows the story of three adult sisters who head back to their parents’ cherry farm during the pandemic. As they shelter in place, they ask their mother, Lara, a former actor, to tell the story of her young romance with now ultra-famous actor, Peter Duke. The story switches between the family’s present moment (with Lara happily married to the girls’ father) and her past romance with Duke. Read my interview with Ann Patchett here.” —Margo Ghertner
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
“Britney Spears’ memoir needs no introduction. It’s more than a celebrity memoir; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Of course I’m intrigued to hear about Spears’ rise to fame and infamous conservatorship (I am a millennial, after all), but I also love the fact that it was partly ghostwritten by Ada Calhoun, one of my favorite essayists. And the audiobook version has become an entity unto itself, thanks to Michelle Williams’ pitch-perfect narration.” —Caroline Goldstein
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
“Brit Bennett’s second novel follows twin sisters Desire and Stella Vignes over the course of about 40 years. At 16, they decide to break away from their life in Mallard, Louisiana to head to New Orleans. As time passes, they separate to lead different lives and create new families; and though the sisters are Black, one sister chooses to pass as white. This alternate-perspective storyline covers multiple generations for an impactful, entertaining read, ideal for your next book club. If family sagas are your forte, give this one a listen.” —Margo Ghertner
Priest by Sierra Simone
“I had to include smut on a list of good audiobooks. I don’t make the rules, I fear. As far as that category goes, Priest is just about the smuttiest smut you can find while still retaining literary quality. The long and short of it is that a young, hot priest is dangerously tempted by Poppy Danforth, a lapsed Catholic who slides into his confessional booth. (Spoiler alert: He acts on his temptations.) But along the way, Simone dives into some genuinely thought-provoking questions about how religion and sexuality can coexist, and even overlap. The male narrator, Jacob Morgan, is something of a cult figure in the erotica audiobook world. Listen to a sample and you’ll figure out why.” —Caroline Goldstein
The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan
“A haunted Victorian house, picturesque scenes of Maine, and psychic mediums make up this fascinating summer tale by J. Courtney Sullivan. Jane Flannigan has grown up with a deep love for history. So much so that when she discovers a quirky old house in her Maine town, it becomes her go-to spot for years to come. Decades later, she returns home to discover that the house has been completely renovated and modernized. The new owner hires Jane, who now has experience as archivist at Harvard, to research the history of the house and uncover its many secrets. This one is just as thoughtful as it is entertaining.” —Margo Ghertner
The Karma of Success: Spiritual Strategies to Free Your Inner Genius by Liz Tran
“I’m the kind of person who struggles to follow a plot in audio form, so I typically reserve my audiobooks for nonfiction. The Karma of Success was one of my first forays into the audiobook world, and I loved the entire experience of consuming it. Tran, an executive coach, unpacks how true success stems from trusting your instincts and aligning your inner voice with your external decision-making. It was inspiring to go about my morning and evening routines accompanied by Tran’s soothing and supportive voice. PS: Margo interviewed Tran for her tips on how to start a journaling practice — take a look here.” —Caroline Goldstein
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
“No exaggeration, I never stop thinking about this book. Thao Thai has written a gorgeous debut, and now I can’t wait for her to come out with even more. It’s a multigenerational saga that follows a grandmother, a mother, and a daughter. Ann Tran is a young illustrator living in Michigan with her boyfriend; her mother, Huơng, is living in their family home in Florida; and her grandmother, Minh, is approaching death. After Minh passes, Ann returns home as she comes to terms with grief for her grandmother, her fraught relationship with her mother, and how she wants to parent her own child.” —Margo Ghertner
Grand Union by Zadie Smith
“While I can’t follow novel plots in audiobook form, I *can* follow short stories. Zadie Smith can do no wrong in my eyes, and her 2019 short story collection is no exception. This collection includes a few stories that previously appeared in The New Yorker, including one of my favorites, 'Escape From New York,' which brings to life the urban myth that Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor, and Marlon Brando escaped from New York together in a rental car on September 11. They’re all voice-driven, so great fodder for an audiobook. Fun fact: The narrator, rapper and comedian Doc Brown, is Zadie Smith’s brother.” —Caroline Goldstein
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
“No spoilers, but the last chapter of this book had my jaw on the floor. Kiley Reid’s debut follows Emira, a young Black woman who’s accused of kidnapping the white child she’s babysitting. This sets off a complicated chain of events that delves into themes of race and privilege. Reid is known for her quippy commentary with clever and insightful comedic timing. This book majorly delivers that, so if you’re looking for something fast-paced, listen to this.” —Margo Ghertner
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