Browse Great First Listens by Category
Featured in Bios & Memoirs
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Becoming
- Written by: Michelle Obama
- Narrated by: Michelle Obama
- Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall9,908
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Performance8,593
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Story8,564
An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER WATCH THE EMMY-NOMINATED NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS...
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I tried so hard to love this book...but couldn't..
- By Makizzo on 2019-01-28
Thank you Michelle
This beautiful story is told so personally by this magnificent, ''ordinary'' woman. I learned so much listening to it; about Chicago, where I, too, grew up...more than twenty years earlier than Michelle. I learned about the evolving city; a thousand things I never knew or understood.
I have a new appreciation for the stories we all carry and how imperative it is to tell them. Michelle describes the many ways of becoming; that we’re never finished or finite; changes weave backward and forward in our stories to give us more choices—better choices. Spending all these hours absorbing all she offers has been the greatest privilege. I miss hearing her talking to me already. Perhaps one of the most important gifts to me in hearing this is a new respect for—a new understanding of optimism. It’s not something we stand around waiting to feel — it’s something we grow and give. Thank you Michelle. ❤️🤸🏿♀️
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Educated
- A Memoir
- Written by: Tara Westover
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall6,829
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Performance5,849
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Story5,858
Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches. In the summer she stewed herbs for her mother, a midwife and healer, and in the winter she salvaged in her father's junkyard. Her father forbade hospitals, so Tara never saw a doctor or nurse. Gashes and concussions, even burns from explosions, were all treated at home with herbalism. Then, lacking any formal education, Tara began to educate herself. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge.
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A Memoir
- By Vee on 2018-09-14
Transported into another life
Before I started this book, I was expecting a more dry academic read, but what I got was a fully immersive book for the ages. I was shocked at the reality of Tara’s life in her Mormon family, the stark difference of it from my imagining of North American society was a griping reminder of my own ignorance. This book somehow managed to be a charged plot driven narrative and a scholarly text, worthy of its own place in university syllabi. I was transported into Tara’s life in Idaho and fully understood her rational as she struggled with themes of family loyalty, abuse, education, faith, and trust in herself. I don’t think I have ever read a memoir that I didn’t want to put down before. At the same time, it reminds me of something I might read in perhaps one of my women’s studies courses, an English course or even a religions course.
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I'll Be Gone in the Dark
- One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
- Written by: Michelle McNamara
- Narrated by: Gabra Zackman, Gillian Flynn, Patton Oswalt
- Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall1,250
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Performance1,083
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Story1,080
THE BASIS FOR THE MAJOR 6-PART HBO DOCUMENTARY SERIES #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Washington Post | Maureen Corrigan, NPR | Paste | Seattle Times | Entertainment Weekly | Esquire | Slate | Buzzfeed | Jezebel | Philadelphia Inquirer | Publishers Weekly | Kirkus Reviews...
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Confusing as an audiobook
- By Odell Saliga on 2018-05-17
A tenacious pursuit of a killer
Not only is this searing account of the brutal Golden State Killer the perfect introduction to those new to true crime, it's also a compelling portrait of the late author Michelle McNamara; who partnered with case detectives on potential leads until her tragic death in 2016. Though she did not live to see it, her tenacious pursuit helped unmask the most infamous murderer in California history.
More Great First Listens: Bios & Memoirs
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99: Stories of the Game
- Written by: Wayne Gretzky
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall177
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Performance154
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Story154
In this sports memoir, Wayne Gretzky weaves memories of his legendary career with an inside look at professional hockey and the heroes and stories that inspired him. From minor-hockey phenomenon to Hall of Fame sensation, Wayne Gretzky rewrote the record books, his accomplishments becoming the...
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Great Mix of Old and NEW Hockey Stories
- By Gregorschwartz on 2020-02-18
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Born to Run
- Written by: Bruce Springsteen
- Narrated by: Bruce Springsteen
- Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall274
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Performance238
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Story235
The revealing, wildly entertaining, and bestselling memoir from the legendary Bruce Springsteen, one of the greatest songwriters and performers of any era. Born to Run is the greatest rock ‘n’ roll story ever told. Essential reading for the 50th anniversary of Springsteen’s seminal album...
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Mostly great autobiography
- By Amazon Customer on 2017-12-20
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By Chance Alone
- A Remarkable True Story of Courage and Survival at Auschwitz
- Written by: Max Eisen
- Narrated by: Douglas E. Hughes
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall309
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Performance277
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Story275
In the spring of 1944 gendarmes forcibly removed Tibor “Max” Eisen and his family from their home, brought them to a brickyard, and eventually loaded them onto crowded cattle cars bound for Auschwitz-Birkenau. At 15 years of age, Eisen survived the selection process and he was inducted into the camp as a slave laborer. More than 70 years after the Nazi camps were liberated by the Allies, By Chance Alone details Eisen’s story of survival.
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Heartbreaking
- By DD on 2019-07-25
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Bossypants
- Written by: Tina Fey
- Narrated by: Tina Fey
- Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall1,110
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Performance924
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Story922
Spirited and whip-smart, these laugh-out-loud autobiographical essays are "a masterpiece" from the Emmy Award-winning actress and comedy writer known for 30 Rock, Mean Girls, and SNL" (Sunday Telegraph). Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young...
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funny!
- By Deanna La Jambe on 2019-06-07
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99: Stories of the Game
- Written by: Wayne Gretzky
- Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
- Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall177
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Performance154
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Story154
In this sports memoir, Wayne Gretzky weaves memories of his legendary career with an inside look at professional hockey and the heroes and stories that inspired him. From minor-hockey phenomenon to Hall of Fame sensation, Wayne Gretzky rewrote the record books, his accomplishments becoming the...
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Great Mix of Old and NEW Hockey Stories
- By Gregorschwartz on 2020-02-18
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Born to Run
- Written by: Bruce Springsteen
- Narrated by: Bruce Springsteen
- Length: 18 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall274
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Performance238
-
Story235
The revealing, wildly entertaining, and bestselling memoir from the legendary Bruce Springsteen, one of the greatest songwriters and performers of any era. Born to Run is the greatest rock ‘n’ roll story ever told. Essential reading for the 50th anniversary of Springsteen’s seminal album...
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Mostly great autobiography
- By Amazon Customer on 2017-12-20
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By Chance Alone
- A Remarkable True Story of Courage and Survival at Auschwitz
- Written by: Max Eisen
- Narrated by: Douglas E. Hughes
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall309
-
Performance277
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Story275
In the spring of 1944 gendarmes forcibly removed Tibor “Max” Eisen and his family from their home, brought them to a brickyard, and eventually loaded them onto crowded cattle cars bound for Auschwitz-Birkenau. At 15 years of age, Eisen survived the selection process and he was inducted into the camp as a slave laborer. More than 70 years after the Nazi camps were liberated by the Allies, By Chance Alone details Eisen’s story of survival.
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Heartbreaking
- By DD on 2019-07-25
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Bossypants
- Written by: Tina Fey
- Narrated by: Tina Fey
- Length: 5 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall1,110
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Performance924
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Story922
Spirited and whip-smart, these laugh-out-loud autobiographical essays are "a masterpiece" from the Emmy Award-winning actress and comedy writer known for 30 Rock, Mean Girls, and SNL" (Sunday Telegraph). Before Liz Lemon, before "Weekend Update," before "Sarah Palin," Tina Fey was just a young...
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funny!
- By Deanna La Jambe on 2019-06-07
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The Never-Ending Present
- The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip
- Written by: Michael Barclay
- Narrated by: George Stroumboulopoulos
- Length: 17 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall420
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Performance372
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Story369
From our talent-rich neighbor to the north comes this biography of one of the most successful Canadian rock bands, The Tragically Hip, which announced a year-long tour after sharing the news of lead singer Gord Downie’s inoperable cancer. Now available to US listeners, The Never-Ending Present details what led up to the memorable night when music fans all over the world watched Downie’s heroic final performance.
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Loved the band, loved the book!
- By Susan Visser on 2018-09-18
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Between the World and Me
- Written by: Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Narrated by: Ta-Nehisi Coates
- Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall426
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Performance372
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Story371
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER NAMED ONE OF TIME’S TEN BEST NONFICTION BOOKS OF THE DECADE PULITZER PRIZE FINALIST NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FINALIST ONE OF OPRAH’S “BOOKS THAT HELP ME THROUGH” NOW AN HBO ORIGINAL SPECIAL EVENT...
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what a book that was
- By t on 2017-11-08
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Wild Game
- My Mother, Her Secret, and Me
- Written by: Adrienne Brodeur
- Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Adrienne Brodeur
- Length: 8 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall164
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Performance146
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Story146
On a hot July night on Cape Cod when Adrienne was 14, her mother, Malabar, woke her at midnight with five simple words that would set the course of both of their lives for years to come: Ben Souther just kissed me. Adrienne instantly became her mother’s confidante and helpmate, blossoming in the sudden light of her attention, and from then on, Malabar came to rely on her daughter to help orchestrate what would become an epic affair with her husband’s closest friend.
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This book just wasn't for me!
- By Amazon Customer on 2020-06-01
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A Guy Like Me
- Written by: John Scott
- Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
- Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall11
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Performance11
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Story11
From the NHL’s most unexpected All-Star MVP comes a sports memoir unlike any other. Hilarious, candid, and reflective, A Guy Like Me recounts the heartwarming story of John Scott: an average joe who became a sports icon overnight. Known as a willing-and-able fighter and bruiser in the league...
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Surprising!
- By Ryan W. on 2018-10-30
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Shoe Dog
- A Memoir by the Creator of Nike
- Written by: Phil Knight
- Narrated by: Norbert Leo Butz
- Length: 13 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall2,935
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Performance2,487
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Story2,494
In this instant and tenacious New York Times bestseller, Nike founder and board chairman Phil Knight “offers a rare and revealing look at the notoriously media-shy man behind the swoosh” (Booklist, starred review), illuminating his company’s early days as an intrepid start-up and its...
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Better Than Expected
- By PDubya on 2021-02-18
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Finding Tess
- A Mother’s Search for Answers in a Dopesick America
- Written by: Beth Macy
- Narrated by: Beth Macy
- Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
- Original Recording
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Overall10
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Performance10
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Story10
On Christmas Eve, 2017, Tess Henry was found dead in a dumpster in Las Vegas. Tess was a 28-year-old new mother, a former honor roll student, and a high school basketball player from suburban Roanoke, Virginia, a place ravaged by the national opioid crisis. The New York Times best-selling author Beth Macy chronicled Tess and her mom, Patricia, through Tess' harrowing, years-long battle to recover from heroin addiction in her award-winning book Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America.
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Scrappy Little Nobody
- Written by: Anna Kendrick
- Narrated by: Anna Kendrick
- Length: 6 hrs
- Unabridged
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Overall595
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Performance516
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Story515
Anna Kendrick's autobiographical collection of essays amusingly recounts memorable moments throughout her life, from her middle-class upbringing in New England to the blockbuster movies that have made her one of Hollywood's most popular actresses today. Expanding upon the witty and ironic dispatches for which she is known, Anna Kendrick's essays offer her one-of-a-kind commentary on the absurdities she's experienced on her way to and from the heart of pop culture.
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Great first audiobook!!
- By Joannah Hynes on 2018-09-17
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High School
- Written by: Sara Quin, Tegan Quin
- Narrated by: Sara Quin, Tegan Quin
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall218
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Performance189
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Story189
First loves, first songs, and the drugs and reckless high school exploits that fueled them—meet music icons Tegan and Sara as you’ve never known them before in this intimate and raw account of their formative years. High School is the revelatory and unique coming-of-age story of Sara and...
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It may win you over
- By Natalie on 2019-10-30