The Three of Us 

This audiobook is absolutely perfect. Three different POVs, three different narrators, and each of them reads their part with such personality and conviction, I was immediately dissuaded from my previously held belief that “I can’t do fiction on audio.” Set over the course of a single evening, The Three of Us is packed with so much tension it will have you holding your breath as if you’re really in the kitchen with these three friends witnessing them insult and jab at each other.

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water: A Novel 

Told in a series of 12 sessions between a career counselor and our narrator, Cara Romero, this is the equally heartwarming, heartbreaking, and laugh-out-loud funny story story of Cara’s life as a Dominican immigrant in New York. Cara’s vivacity and unabashed confidence are infectious, and her growth as she faces her flaws is unexpectedly touching. Narrator Rossmery Almonte brought so much life to the text. I can’t recommend this audiobook highly enough!

Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel 

A tennis pro comes out of retirement to try to reclaim her record, while being coached by her dad. This multi-cast audiobook is fabulous!

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date 

The final book in Ashley’s Bright Falls trilogy, you will fall head over heels for both Stevie and Iris. And no, you don’t have to have read the first two books to enjoy this one but I recommend it because they are both so good. A one night stand gone horribly wrong, this is a story about falling in love but also being brave and choosing yourself.

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake: A Novel 

If I were to teach a course on the genre of romance, Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake would most certainly be on the syllabus, and Summer Morton and Will Peters make for a fantastic listening experience. These two perfectly encompass Lizzie’s too-much-girl and Rake’s beloved stick-in-the-mud energy. Plus is there anything sexier than an Australian accent? Nope.

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect: A Novel 

I could listen to an Australian man talk all day long, but add a fast-paced mystery in and it’s an unbeatable combination.

Sword Catcher 

Listening to Sword Catcher was like living in a movie! Both narrators are fantastic, and hearing all the invented languages read aloud was fascinating. You won’t want it to ever end.

First Lie Wins

Start your year with a con-artist thriller!

Siren Queen 

I will read anything Nghi Vo writes, and I will listen to anything Natalie Naudus narrates, so imagine my joy whenever these two cross paths. Siren Queen is a gorgeous novel set in an alternate-universe old Hollywood full of strange magic that alternates between dreamlike and nightmarish. An immersive listen (or read) you won’t forget.

Maybe Next Time

A beautiful love story of a married couple who have become disconnected in the midst of their never ending to-do lists. Follow Emma as she must relive the day that ends in her husbands untimely death. The ending will leave you needing to hear more! This time-loop novel is the perfect listen for a cozy day at home. The narrator’s lovely British accent took over as the voice in my head for days after I finished!

The Lincoln Highway: A Novel 

An 18 year-old is released from a juvenile work farm. But he doesn’t go home alone. Two escapees traveled with him. Soon they’re on another journey to New York. A road trip audiobook narrated by multiple characters.

Daughter of the Moon Goddess

If I see that Natalie Naudus is narrating a book it’s an automatic buy for me. Usually people are like that about authors, but if you casually scroll through the list of books narrated by Natalie she only picks winners. So it’s almost always a sure thing. I loved Daughter of the Moon Goddess immensely, with magic, dragons, Chinese Folklore, AND a love story. It has literally everything.

All the Right Notes 

This beautiful queer love story about a piano player/composer and his second chance romance is made all the more amazing by the musical touches in the audiobook. No spoilers, but there’s a scene towards the end where the audio production actually had me choked up.

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession 

I have not been able to stop talking about this book since I finished listening to it. It’s the story about the world’s most prolific (yet astoundingly unremarkable) art thief. While it’s a short listen, it’s fascinating beginning to end, full of twists and immersive details.

The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA 

I love an untold story from history, but this history of women in the CIA from its inception up to today is fascinating, infuriating, and action-packed. I was astounded again and again at the sheer daring it took for so many of these women to create unconventional lives for themselves, not to mention the moral nuances and gray areas they had to navigate.

We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.: Essays 

If you think you’re “just not an audiobook person,” I dare you to listen to any of Sam Irby’s essay collections and not fall in love with hearing an author read their work to you. Irby’s wit and humor will have you laughing to the point of tears!

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) 

Reading this book is like being on a 4 hour call with your bestie. There’s workplace tea, sparkling wit, and the book is voiced by Kaling herself which makes for a delightful listening experience.

You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory 

Ruta Sepetys gives writing tips interspersed with stories from her childhood and her first career managing rock bands in LA. Bonus: Ruta narrates this one herself!

Legendborn 

If for some reason you haven’t read Legendborn yet (and I’m the firm opinion everyone who likes YA fantasy should read Legendborn), please let the quality of its audiobook convince you. This book full of family secrets and Arthurian magic is full of deep emotions that narrator Joniece Abbott-Pratt conveys beautifully. Plus the sequel is already out!

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment 

A must read for fans of Mindy Kaling’s hit show Never Have I Ever.

The Raven Boys 

I reread The Raven Boys every year, but now I always re-listen! Just the best production for the best series! The narrator does a fantastic job bringing beloved characters to life, and there’s music composed and played by the author herself!

Iron Widow 

Iron Widow is such a cinematic blockbuster of a book, with an inventive setting, sci-fi action, great characters, and excellent romance. I listened to it through Libro.fm, and now I’m counting down the days until the sequel.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

The Tristan Strong books are amazing reads, and equally amazing listens. It’s a high-stakes fantasy adventure with great characters and humor, and Amir Abdullah nails the delivery of every single joke. If anyone is enjoying the new Percy Jackson series and wants to check out something from the “Rick Riordan Presents” imprint, this is a great place to start.

The Puppets of Spelhorst

As always, Kate DiCamillo writes another must listen for ALL ages!! Puppets of Spelhorst follows a troupe of five puppets who face the darkest parts of life together and come out on the other side. Their story holds core truths that will connect with all readers and sweep them away on an epic and hopeful adventure.

Clean Getaway 

Scoob’s G-Ma takes him on a surprise road trip using the Travelers Green Book as their guide. A break from school turns into an unexpected adventure into G-Ma’s past and a few surprises about the present. The narrator makes you feel like you’re in the RV with them.

The Dragonet Prophecy

I have listened to all 15+ books in this series. Narrator Shannon McManus truly brings the colorful, adventurous, funny, and dangerous characters of Tui T. Sutherland’s dragon-filled world to life, which is no small feat with a cast that seems to grow exponentially with each new book.

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Martyr!: A novel

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Love Is My Favorite Color

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The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum

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A Fragile Enchantment

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