Don’t have time to read? Then Listen to the best audiobooks in 2023 while you’re driving, working out, cleaning the house, or doing anything else.
Audiobooks are recordings of books that are played through headphones or speakers. You can also stream audiobooks on the internet. There are several advantages to using audiobooks instead of reading books. For example, they allow you to enjoy your favorite stories whenever and wherever you want.
There are various types of audiobook formats such as ebooks, podcasts, and audiobooks. The format you choose depends on your preference and budget. In addition, some audiobooks are free while others cost money. In this article, we will be listing the best audiobooks in 2023.
Why Should I Listen To Audiobooks?
If you’re like me, you probably hate reading. I’m terrible at it, and I always feel guilty about spending my precious time reading something that could be spent doing something else. So I started listening to audiobooks in 2023 instead. Now I love listening to them!
The benefits of listening to audiobooks include convenience, portability, and accessibility. Most importantly, though, audiobooks are great for people who struggle with reading due to poor eyesight or dyslexia.
here are some additional reasons why you should consider listening to audiobooks in 2023:
- You Can Take Your Books Everywhere
- You Can Learn More About Different Topics Than You Could By Reading Alone
- You Can Save Money By Buying fewer Books
- You Can Buy Many Books At Once
- You Can Listen To An Entire Series In Just A Few Hours
- You Can Listen To Books That Are Too Long For You To Read
List of the Best audiobooks 2023
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is a thrilling story of a bombshell movie star in the 1950s. Young Evelyn always knew that her dream was to become a star. She married her first husband so she could get into the world of glitter and glamour. Another great book on audible listening which has intriguing plots, memorable characters, and an easy-to-follow format. The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo is one of the best-narrated Audible audiobooks in 2023 by voice actors such as Alma Cerveza, Julia Whelan, and Robin Miles.
Finding Me by Viola Davis
A poor Black girl from Rhode Island, Viola Davis describes in this moving memoir how she discovered an early love for acting. When she began acting professionally, Davis had to face the intense colorism of the theater and film industries. Her narration is a masterpiece of performance as she uses her vocal cords to communicate the intense feelings she had when recalling some of the best memories of her life. Finding Me by Viola Davis is one of the best-narrated Audible audiobooks in 2023. So consider getting it
Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation by Hannah Gadsby
Hannah Gadsby delivers every bit of her onstage performance to her narration of the story of her life. Growing up as the youngest child in a large family, Gadsby discusses how being autistic and queer shaped her life from an early stage. With her signature humor, wit, and charm, Gadsby takes you through the key moments that led her to become the successful comedian she is now.
Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron
After her husband dies Delia Ephron finds herself alone, an older woman now living on her own. She enters the dating world for the very first time in decades. She reads her memoir, clearly putting effort into keeping herself together as she reads through deeply personal moments, and we can hear where her resolve cracks, pure emotion spilling through her performance. The audiobook experience feels incredibly personal and intimate.
Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey by Florence Williams
Florence Williams is shocked to hear her husband ask for a divorce. But after they separate for a while, she realizes that they might have been heading towards this all along. Williams decides to take you along as she searches for people who can help her understand what her heartbreak looks like and how it might affect others. She includes audio clips from her therapy sessions, dates, interviews with scientists studying heartache, and more.
Run Rose Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton
It’s a fast-paced audiobook about an emerging singer-songwriter. When AnnieLee arrived in Nashville, she was alone and penniless. But when he gets an opportunity to perform, Ethan Blake sees the talented singer and her talent for performing. She requests the Queen of Country Music, Ruthanna Ryder to be her manager. And so begins the exciting journey of becoming a singer. Dolly Parton wrote 12 songs for the book. Run Rose Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton is one of the best-narrated Audible audiobooks in 2023. So consider Listening to this top-rated audiobook narrated by a real person now!
The Cancer Journals by Audre Lorde
The print version of The Cancer Journals was published decades ago, but the audiobook edition was just released this year. Elizabeth Lorde-Rollo engagingly performs Lorde’s essays, knowing when to add emotion or assume a clinical tone in her narration. Lorde’s essays on the treatment of breast cancer patients marked a pivotal moment when breast cancer survivors began to push back against ideas that losing one or both of their breasts made them less of women. Lorde’s intersectionality approach pointed out the added difficulties faced by queer and black women.
South to America: A Journey Below the Mason Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry
This book explores American perceptions of the south, organizing the text by region. Perry’s prose style is reflective of a Southern accent, which becomes even more evident in her narration. Originally from Alabama, Perry asks listeners to examine their ideas about the South less simplistically. She encourages listeners to recognize the contributions of African Americans to American culture while also acknowledging the long history of racism against them.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
When Jess arrives at his brother’s Paris apartment, she doesn’t see him. As she talks to her neighbors and friends, they seem to be unaware of where he is. Listeners hear the stories told by several residents of the building. Each resident has his or her narrator. Each new perspective gives us another piece of the puzzle, helping us understand things better. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley is one of the best-narrated Audible audiobooks in 2023. The listener will be on the edge until the very end.
The Maid by Nita Prose
After her grandmother dies, Molly Gray takes up a job at a fancy restaurant. When she’s working hard, trying to keep her head down, her world is suddenly thrown into chaos when a wealthy man, Mr. Black, disappears. As the last person who saw him before he disappeared, she is a prime suspect. Now Molly must solve her crime to save herself. Lauren Ambrose performs the audiobook brilliantly, making every uncomfortable and suspenseful scene come alive.
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
Indie hit to the international sensation, the Atlas Six has taken the Internet by storm. When six 20-something students are selected for a prestigious magic school, they know that there are only five spots available, and one of them won’t get into the school. Every character has its voice actor, so each perspective is unique. The story is suspenseful, with relentless twists, and you never know whom to trust.
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
We meet Kaikeyi, who was the only princess of Kishkindha, in this retelling of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Desperate for more freedom, Kaikeyi turns her attention to knowledge, studying everything that she can to help find the life that she wants. But when cosmic forces intervene, Kaikeyi must escape the destiny for which the gods have ordained her. All-star narrator, Soneela Nankan, brings this incredible debut to life beautifully, bringing emotional depth and nail-biter suspense to it. Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel is one of the best-narrated Audible audiobooks in 2023.
Pandora’s Jar: Women in Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes
After her critically acclaimed novel A thousand ships, Natalie Haynes returns to Greek mythology to tell stories of women who are often ignored. Each story in this book features a different woman, telling her story to encourage listeners to rethink their preconceptions. Haynes narrates “Pandora’s Jar,” making the collection feel intimate and personal like she’s sitting next to you as she tells this amazing story.
Atlas Of the Heart by Brené Brown
American research professor and writer Brené Brown explore in this new book the idea of being “expressive.” We give voice to our emotions and depict an actionable framework for having meaningful connections with one another Essentially a book that teaches you how to understand your own emotions. Atlas of the Heart is one of our highly recommended audiobooks because we think that Brené, who narrates the book, reads the text again so that the listeners can understand the valuable lessons. It’s a great audiobook to enjoy while you’re walking or exercising.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
When literary agent Nora Stephen runs into her arch nemeses, editor Charlie Lastra in a small town far away from their New York City neighborhood, she can’t believe it. As things turn out, they end up working on a manuscript together, arguing every step of the way. But of course, this story is a romance, and there’s a “grump meets grouch” trope. Julia Whelan narrates the audiobook with INCREDIBLE skill and performs her witty banter with PERFECTION.
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
Jasmine Guillory set her latest romance novel in a contemporary setting. Isabelle, desperate for a promotion at work, is determined to get an important manuscript from her publisher’s most cantankerous author, Beau Towers. Sarah Hollis captures the enemies-to-loveliness romance with all of the wit and humor needed for all of the couples’ intense chemistry.
Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho
Fiona and Jane surprised me. From the very first piece in this collection, I was interested in knowing more about Fiona and Jane’s relationship. The stories are interconnected, putting the pieces of each person’s life together in this fascinating non-linear way. Natalie Naudus writes from both Fiona’s and Jane’s points of view so well, that even when they’re not named, I know who is speaking.
Probably Ruby by Lisa Bird-Wilson
When I hear a new narrator, I’m always on the lookout for debut and new-tome audiobooks. Lucky for me, Dakota Ray Hebert is not only a debut but also a new-to-me narrator! Herbert captures the titular character’s voice perfectly, down to even the smallest hesitations and facial expressions. Ruby is a Mestiza woman who was adopted by a white family, and later on, she goes on a journey to reconnect with her roots and learn more about her culture.
The Candy House by Jennifer Egan
Jennifer Egan is best known for her innovative use of form and playful writing style. After the events of A Visit from the Goons, Egan returns to his familiar world. The Candy House feels a bit like a collection of interconnected short stories, each chapter adding a little more detail to a world where people can upload their consciousnesses to a cloud. The book includes things like a spy’s guide and emails, but an amazing array of narrators made the audiobook rise to the challenge. Even though I had the printed text nearby, I rarely needed to refer to it. It was just so interesting that I couldn’t stop reading.
Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang
A daughter of Chinese immigrants, Dr. Joan is an ICU physician in New York City. When Joan and her brother Fang grow up, their parents return to China. However, when her father suddenly dies in China, Joan’s mother returns to America to be with them. Now Joan has to face everything she and her mother haven’t even talked about. Catherine Ho captures Joan’s narrative voice so well that I felt like I was sitting across the table from Joan as she told me her story.
Four Treasures of the Sky by Jenny Tinghui Zhang
Catherine Chin voices Daiyuu, a Chinese woman kidnapped in 1849 and taken to San Francisco. Forced to work in an opium den, Daiyu must learn how to survive in a land where men are eager to buy her body. This intense and sweeping novel tells the story of the resilience of the Chinese American community before, during, and after the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Catherine Chin is there every step of the way, and Jenny Tinghui Zhan read her manuscript after she wrote it. She described how she came to write it.
Omar Rising by Aisha Saeed
When Omar receives a full scholarship to attend one of Pakistan’s top universities, he can’t believe he’s lucky enough to be there. But when he arrives at school, he finds out that he and the other students aren’t allowed to participate outside of class, must work a certain amount of hours per week, and must maintain an A average. Vikas Adam’s voice captures Omar’s despair and disappointment when his dream-come-true turns into a nightmare. But we also hear resilience when Omar and his friend decide to push for changes within the system itself.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
A young woman named Olivia is told by her mother that she has a long-lost relative named Uncle John who has written to claim Olivia. Olivia gathers her belongings and heads to the estate where she meets a very grumpy cousin who tells her that Uncle Fred died years ago, so he could not have possibly written that letter A supernatural ghost story unfolds expertly told by Julian Rhind-Tutt. Rhind-Tutt captures every jump scare and unsettling moment with his skillful performance.
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester
When Verónica was just a baby, her parents moved her from Peru to America so they could get better medical care for her hip dysplasia. When she’s 17 years old, Verónica dreams about having a summer job as an underwater mermaid at the local mermaid show, but they won’t let her. Frankie Corzo performs Veronica’s story with such heart, perfectly portraying Veronica’s resilience and determination to live her life with the fullness of anyone else.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Misbah and her family immigrated from Pakistan to America to live in California, where they own and operate the Cloud’s Rest Inn motel. Years later, Salahudín works at the family hotel trying to keep it afloat while his mom struggles with her illness. After a fight with her best friend, Noor feels like everything is going badly. Deepti Gupta, Kamran R., Sh Khan, and Kousar Mohammed voice Misbah and Noor, giving them each their unique spin. They bring these characters to life in a way that only occurs when the right narrator comes upon the perfect character.
‘The Return of Faraz Ali,’ by Aamina Ahmad
Ahmad’s extraordinary first novel revolves around Farzana, born to a prostitute from Lahore’s red-light district, Mohalla. Faraz’s powerful grandfather has him taken away from his mother and raised in a poor but respectable household. By 1968, he has become an up-and-comer in the Pakistani police force. As Pakistan erupts into civil disorder, his father asks him to return home to cover up the death by accident of an adolescent girl. It isn’t. Faraz cannot let it go and begins uncovering hidden connections going back decades. A dangerous exercise in a dangerous period. The large cast of characters is voiced by narrators Homer Todiwala and Nina Wadia, who deliver the men’s and women’s sections respectively. Both actors play the roles well, faithfully capturing their personalities This is a great book, full of setting, depicting brute, inexorable power. But surprisingly sweet at the end.
‘City on Fire,’ by Don Winslow
It’s the 1980’s and two mobs, one Italian, the other Irish, run Providence, RI’s criminal enterprises. The Irish have the dockyards; the Italians, politicians, and police — all under a predator gaze of Boston and NYC crime syndicates. Between them is Danny Ryan, son to an alcoholic father who used to run the Irish end and younger brother to the reckless, unreliable Liam, who has stolen his girlfriend from one of the Italians. Danny, who wants to quit the rackets, is a levelheaded person and a would-be peacekeeper, but Liam’s foolishness has unleashed in the Italians a thirst to seek revenge coupled with opportunism and betrayal — and we’re deep in Winslow’s threatening territory of bad faith and increasing violence. Ari Flakes, a gifted actor, narrates this in an aggressive, hard-hitting Boston accent that occasionally sounds as if John F. Kennedy has grabbed the microphone.
Finding Me by Viola Davis
A young woman named Viola Davis recounts the story of a girl whose dream is to find purpose in life, but who finds herself caught up in a world of drugs, crime, and violence. It all began when she moved into an apartment in Rhode Island, where she lived for years. A moving story of finding hope, and letting loose of shame and failures. It’s one of the best audiobooks worth listening to. This intimate, raw, and honest account of the international award-winning actress is going to blow you away. And I love listening to audiobooks that are read by the author. Include this awesome audiobook to your list of must-listens in 2023.
Verity by Colleen Hoover
From the New York Times bestselling author of It ‘ends with us,’ comes a stand-alone thriller that’ll keep you up late at night. When struggling writer Lowena is hired to finish the works of a bestselling novelist (Verity), she never expected to find anything shocking. Let alone an unfinished manuscript of her autobiography with creepy details. He has decided not to share anything with the grieving husband of the writer. But will he be able to keep these deep secrets from her for long? One of the best audiobooks with great narration and gripping stories.
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
The Paris Apartment: One of the highly anticipated audiobooks of 2023. The story follows Jess, who arrives at her half-brother Ben’s Paris apartment, seeking a fresh start. But what awaits her now is an empty fancy apartment with no Ben. If he doesn’t respond to her texts or calls after a few days, she starts to wonder if something has happened to him. A dark locked room mystery full cast audiobook for all thriller fans.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Whether ‘Beachy Reads’ or ‘People we meet on vacation’, Emily Henry’s books are always popular audiobooks of the year. Her new book is already a best seller on audio tape. This fun and easy-to-listen audiobook follow Nora and Charlie’s and their not-so-cute encounters. Nora Stephens is a ruthless literary agent who spends most of her time working. Apart from her job at the bank, the only person she cares for is her little niece Libby. When Libby asks her to go with her to Sunshine Falls for a weekend getaway, Nora can’t say yes. What’s interesting or annoying about Nora is that she keeps running across Charlie Lastra, an Editor from New York City. Best audiobooks in 2023 to listen to when you’re looking for a romantic read. And this audiobook is narrated by Julia Whelan.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
This classic book written in the 6th century BC by Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu has been considered one of the most important books on warfare. It outlines strategies that worked for people in previous wars. The Art of War is a book by Sun Tzu that gives practical advice to those who lead governments or businesses.
Twilight Series
Twilight is a young adult vampire fiction series based on the eponymous 2000 film directed by Catherine Hardwicke. It follows the story of Bella Swan, a teenage girl whose life changes after she meets Edward Cullen, a mysterious and charming classmate who falls in love with her.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you haven’t already done so, now would be a great time to check out some of the best audiobooks in 2023 listed above. Whether you prefer fiction or nonfiction, there’s bound to be something here that will appeal to you. And even better, many of these books are free (or nearly so). So why wait any longer? Go download your favorites right away!
