14 of the best audiobooks you should listen to in 2024

Nature lovers will adore this tale of the Marsh Girl, but their hearts will break as they follow her tale of abandonment, despair, isolation and resilience. The Audible version of Where the Crawdads Sing is narrated by Cassandra Campbell.

Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: "It's hard to put into words just how beautiful this novel is. The descriptions of the marsh and all of the animals is simply gorgeous and you really feel for Kaya, the main character in the story."

Richard Armitage narrates this remarkable true story of survival that's based on the lives of Lale Sokolov and his wife, Gita Furman.

Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: "Heather Morris is excellent at creating moving stories which put you right there with the characters as they face the hardest moments of their lives."

One of the most iconic and inspiring women of our era, Michelle Obama's memoir Becoming details the experiences that shaped her, from her childhood, to the White House, being with Barack and becoming a parent.

A reviewer said: "This book went beyond my expectations. It was beautifully written by an exceptional woman. I expected it to be mostly about Michelle’s time at the White House and was a bit disappointed when I realised that the White House section was only a small third of the book. However this disappointment did not last long as, reading about her early life ,her family and her time pre- White House including with Barack, was fascinating. Her warm style of writing depicting her genuine feelings and down to earth attitudes to everything, from her closeness to her family to the no nonsense way she viewed life as a black girl in a white environment, was so refreshing. She never viewed herself as loaded with some unfair disadvantages. She ignored all of that and decided that trying to work her best in everything was the solution. And, boy! She found a solution everywhere she went."

Recently turned into a Netflix mini-series, All The Light We Cannot See follows a blind French girl and an orphan German boy as their paths cross in occupied France during World War II.

Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: "Despite all the noise and catastrophes that occur during its setting, this novel is full of stunningly written quiet moments that describe everything in stunning detail."

Read by Dawn herself, plus actors, this story unpicks the many different sides of Silvia Shute, who is currently in a coma. Visitors to her hospital bed begin to unravel the terrible secret she's always managed to keep hidden.

Reviewed by our Commercial Content Writer, Arabella Horspool: "Written by comedy legend Dawn French, Oh Dear Silvia is a touching human story, sprinkled with humour, sadness, pain, joy and relatable three dimensional characters."

A freak accident, a deceased author and a stolen manuscript... How far will the thief go to keep their secret and cover their tracks? This New York Times bestseller is narrated by Helen Laser.

A reviewer put: "For me, kind of on the outside as a reader, but not entirely, I really enjoyed this book. Understood some of what the author was portraying, laughed along in all the right (wrong) places, became infuriated in the right ones too, and recognised this story for what it is. A warts an all portrayal of an industry that is far more complex, and cut throat, than many people might realise. Exaggerated for effect? Possibly.

But behind every exaggeration is a seed of truth. For most authors, who don't have legacy backlist and a longstanding reputation and fan base to hang their hat on, you live and die by your last sales total, dropped from the schedule the moment your figures don't meet expectations, or when there is a hint of a scandal that, even by the best spin doctor, cannot be exploited for commercial gain. And that, for most, is a very hard place to exist."

Rory Kinnear brings to life the story of Charlie Lewis who learns more on a life-changing summer than he ever did at school.

A reviewer said: "I enjoyed this book as much as any John Green book. I read it last month and two books ago; yet I keep thinking about it. Awkward teenager Charlie Lewis hates his home life where he lives with his alcoholic, depressed, newly divorced father. Charlie stumbles upon a summer theatre group preparing for Romeo and Juliet.

The prettiest girl, who plays Juliet, invites Charlie to join the cast. This leads to first love, emotionally and physically for Charlie. Then 20 years later, the cast has a reunion party just before Charlie is to marry a different woman. I liked this book so much because it reminded me of when I worked with teenagers as we read, acted and discussed Romeo and Juliet in my classes. Author David Nicholls does an accurate job capturing those teen personalities and dramas."

An epic saga of a brother and sister over five decades, made even more absorbing by its brilliant narrator Tom Hanks.

A reviewer said: "I loved it. Maeve and Danny's story had me gripped - Maeve was such a trooper she is the big sister everybody wants (I think she was maybe inspired by my big sister!). This tackles themes such as how we deal with grief and injustice and why we get into the relationships we do and the careers we didn't want. It looks not only at parenting, sibling relationships, step-parents, inheritance but a billion other things all wrapped up in fabulous characters and an equally fabulous setting - The Dutch House itself.

I could only marvel at how Ann Patchett does timelines. Her story-telling is not linear but it's not confusing, its massively accessible and when the forward motion of the plot is interrupted to tell us something in the past, it does not jar, but feels perfectly placed. This is a book for readers to adore and for writers to feel jealous about."

Hilary Mantel's latest read on Oliver Cromwell got rave reviews when it came out in print but hearing it from actor Ben Miles makes it even more gripping. If you're a history buff, this one's for you.

A reader review: "There is no way to do this book (or in fact, all three books of the trilogy) justice in a simple post. I am in awe of the world Hilary Mantel has created, of the distinct Cromwell voice that keeps on talking in my head. I knew I’d love this book, and I knew I’d struggle with it. She doesn’t spare the reader, and I needed to take a break halfway through it, but I wouldn’t have stopped for anything in the world."

Simon Prebble narrates Orwell's popular dystopian novel, depicting a totalitarian world dominated by Big Brother and its vast network of agents, including the Thought Police.

A reviewer put: "Orwell's prose is both captivating and haunting, drawing readers into the life of Winston Smith as he navigates a world where individuality and freedom are suppressed. The themes presented are strikingly relevant even today, prompting introspection about the state of society, politics, and personal autonomy. The characters are expertly crafted, evoking empathy and contemplation, while the plot's twists and turns keep you hooked from start to finish."

Listen to the tale of the passionate, yet thwarted, love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw and how it affects the cast of characters around them. Narrated by Downton Abbey's Joanne Froggatt.

A reviewer said: "Bronte’s writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing. The way she seamlessly weaves together multiple narrators and diverging timelines adds layers of depth to the story. Each voice is distinct and their perspectives bring unique insights into the tumultuous tale. The descriptive prose transports the reader to the wild moors of Yorkshire, making the setting a character in itself. The sweeping landscapes mirror the characters' turbulent emotions, intensifying the overall atmosphere of the novel."

Listen to one of the greatest horror stories of all time: Bram Stoker's Dracula. A classic gothic vampire story narrated by Alan Cumming, Tim Curry and others.

A reviewer wrote: "Though written over a century ago, and with many tales of Vampires following in its wake in the years intervening, this classic story of the titular Count remains the foremost and best of them all. Despite all that has come after it and the inuring of us all to greater horrors, it retains the ability to shock, to revolt, to instil horror and to excite, especially with its breathless conclusion, and yet also to revel in duty, friendship, sacrifice and the power of love."

The collection, which lasts almost 72 hours, features four novels and five collections of short stories – along with a set of brand new introductions that Stephen personally recorded – being a huge self-confessed Holmes fan himself.

One reviewer put: "Stephen Fry has a wonderful voice for audiobooks. His narration is spot on and his extra introductions to stories, building on his own experiences of reading these stories in his younger years, really adds to the overall experience."

Stephen Fry's dulcet tones make this magical story of wizardry a delight from beginning to end. If you missed out on the Harry Potter hype, it might be time to give it a whirl – your grandchildren will be thrilled!

A reviewer said: "I cannot even begin to explain to you how much Harry Potter means to me, every single time I read these books I’m transported back to my childhood reading them for the first time again. Honestly it’s my go to comfort read series! Absolutely adore Harry Potter, the story and characters and will 100% live on with me forever."