Audible Essentials

The Audible Essentials

Our Editors have selected these titles as the best of the best, the top must-listens on Audible.
Product list
    • Written by: Tanya Tagaq
    • Narrated by: Tanya Tagaq
    • Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
    • Release date: 2018-09-25
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 313 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Poetry, prose, and throat singing are elegantly woven together to create a listen that is utterly unique and stunning. It could only be performed by its creator, Tanya Tagaq, who has dazzled us with a heartbreaking and magical story that must be heard to fully understand it. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $30.30 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $30.30 or 1 Credit

    • Written by: Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin - translator, Philip Gabriel - translator
    • Narrated by: Allison Hiroto, Marc Vietor, Mark Boyett
    • Length: 46 hrs and 45 mins
    • Release date: 2011-10-25
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 355 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • A master of Japanese surrealist fiction, Haruki Murakami has penned dozens of stories, usually full of preternatural cats, alternate realities, and an obsession with making the perfect al dente pasta. His delightful weirdness is on full display in what I'd consider his magnum opus: *IQ84*. And at 46 hours, this is a perfect listen for road trips, or long-haul flights. Appropriately, every time I listen to Murakami, I want to hop on a jet to Japan. – Sarah, Audible Editor

    Price: $50.06 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $50.06 or 1 Credit

    • Written by: Kristin Hannah
    • Narrated by: Polly Stone
    • Length: 17 hrs and 19 mins
    • Release date: 2015-02-03
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 2,228 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • The 2016 Audie winner for fiction remains an example of the best that the audio format has to offer. It is a sweeping and elegant story of two sisters in war-torn France, exploring the side effects of war that often go unrecognized. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $32.04 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $32.04 or 1 Credit

    • A Novel
    • Written by: Jojo Moyes
    • Narrated by: Susan Lyons, Anna Bentink, Steven Crossley, Alex Tregear, Andrew Wincott, Owen Lindsay
    • Series: Me Before You Trilogy, Book 1
    • Length: 14 hrs and 40 mins
    • Release date: 2012-12-31
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 291 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Jojo Moyes created an unforgettable character in the quirky and impossibly lovable Louisa Clark, who lives an incredibly ordinary life until a chance job opportunity opens her eyes and her world. Narrator Susan Lyons rounds out a wholly enjoyable and delightful tale of romance and loss that will both make and break your heart. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $44.46 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $44.46 or 1 Credit

    • A Novel
    • Written by: Taylor Jenkins Reid
    • Narrated by: Jennifer Beals, Benjamin Bratt, Judy Greer, Pablo Schreiber
    • Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
    • Release date: 2019-03-05
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,802 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • A multi-cast performance done right can catapult the audiobook version of a novel into a whole new echelon of entertainment, and *Daisy Jones & The Six* is such an experience. Jennifer Beals does an incredible job of embodying a former superstar recounting her turbulent past of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. This fictional exposé of a band years after their breakup will have you so wrapped up in their story that you'll surely forget it isn't about a real musical act. - Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $23.31 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $23.31 or 1 Credit

    • A Novel
    • Written by: Yaa Gyasi
    • Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman
    • Length: 13 hrs and 11 mins
    • Release date: 2016-06-07
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 172 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • This is a sweeping epic that spans countries, histories, and generations over a 300-year period, capturing the diverging lives of two half sisters born in 18th-century Ghana. Powerful and emotional, this novel deftly explores the complexities of race, ancestry, and love. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $41.68 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $41.68 or 1 Credit

    • Reese's Book Club (A Novel)
    • Written by: Gail Honeyman
    • Narrated by: Cathleen McCarron
    • Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
    • Release date: 2017-05-09
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,212 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • This is a story that slowly builds and works its way into your heart far before you even realize it's there. Narrator Cathleen McCarron delivers the essence of Eleanor flawlessly, embodying her spirit to a T. Truly an enjoyable listen that had me unexpectedly laughing countless times. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $23.31 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $23.31 or 1 Credit

    • Written by: Stephen King
    • Narrated by: Steven Weber
    • Length: 44 hrs and 55 mins
    • Release date: 2016-01-01
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,937 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Were clowns scary before *It*, or did *It* make clowns scary? Frankly, when you're listening to Stephen King's horror masterpiece, trembling with all the lights on and doors triple-locked, the answer to this chicken-or-the-egg question feels moot. Considered a landmark of modern literature, as well as canonizing small-town Maine, *It* will terrify you whether you're new to horror or a seasoned fan. – Sarah, Audible Editor

    Price: $38.84 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $38.84 or 1 Credit

    • One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
    • Written by: Michelle McNamara
    • Narrated by: Gabra Zackman, Gillian Flynn - introduction, Patton Oswalt - afterword
    • Length: 10 hrs and 7 mins
    • Release date: 2018-02-27
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,239 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • 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. – Sarah, Audible Editor

    Sale price: $7.99 (80% off) or 1 Credit

    Price: $40.01

    Sale ends in

    • Written by: Stephen Fry - introductions, Arthur Conan Doyle
    • Narrated by: Stephen Fry
    • Series: Sherlock Holmes, Book 1-6
    • Length: 71 hrs and 57 mins
    • Release date: 2017-02-27
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 1,480 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • As a lifelong fan of Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry was really the only choice to perform this 71-hour behemoth of Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Narrating exclusively for Audible, Fry includes his own introductions to each of the nine titles included in this not-to-be-missed anthology. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $114.61 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $114.61 or 1 Credit

    • A Refugee Story
    • Written by: Abu Bakr al Rabeeah, Winnie Yeung
    • Narrated by: Ali Momen
    • Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins
    • Release date: 2019-05-28
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 175 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • As a former Edmontonian, *Homes* hit ''home'' for me. After fleeing the Iraq and later Syrian Civil War, Abu Bakr and his family arrived in Canada, settling in Edmonton. As a teenager with not much English at his disposal, Abu Bakr worked with his teacher to write his story of home–the place he loves and the place he left. A Canada Reads finalist, *Homes* is truly a Canadian story everyone should hear. – Jolise, Audible Content Acquisition

    Price: $18.73 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $18.73 or 1 Credit

    • Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
    • Written by: David Goggins
    • Narrated by: David Goggins, Adam Skolnick
    • Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins
    • Release date: 2018-11-28
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 16,777 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Calling all inspiration seekers: David Goggins' transformation from an impoverished and abused child into a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller will motivate the most potato-ey of any couch-potato. Plus, you'll get two hours of bonus content that's exclusive to Audible. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $31.26 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $31.26 or 1 Credit

    • Written by: Angie Thomas
    • Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
    • Series: Garden Heights, Book 2
    • Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
    • Release date: 2017-02-28
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 1,326 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • When this listen debuted, it spread through the Audible office like wildfire, lighting up every single editor's device. All-star narrator Bahni Turpin voices teen Starr Carter, who suddenly finds herself at a dangerous intersection of race, justice, and violence. This audiobook is stunning, heartbreaking, and absolutely essential listening. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $39.62 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $39.62 or 1 Credit

    • Written by: Neil Gaiman
    • Narrated by: Neil Gaiman
    • Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
    • Release date: 2017-02-07
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,449 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Fans of mythology, superheroes, and well-researched history rejoice! Neil Gaiman has lovingly and painstakingly researched the origins of mythology to breathe new life into Norse gods like Loki, Odin, and Thor. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $25.63 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $25.63 or 1 Credit

    • The Extinction Files, Book 1
    • Written by: A. G. Riddle
    • Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini
    • Series: Extinction Files, Book 1
    • Length: 18 hrs and 53 mins
    • Release date: 2017-06-20
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 425 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • This is the listen that got me hooked on audiobooks, and I can't recommend it enough. What starts as a rapidly spreading fatal outbreak spirals into something much bigger than anyone in *Pandemic* could have possibly envisioned. There's history, science, advanced technology, and loads of excitement to keep you gripping your armrests. With a runtime of nearly 19 hours, it was a daunting book to start–but by the 17th hour I was wishing I had another 17 left. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $50.06 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $50.06 or 1 Credit

    • Everyone’s Commonsense Guide to Becoming Financially Independent
    • Written by: David Chilton
    • Narrated by: L. J. Ganser
    • Length: 6 hrs and 53 mins
    • Release date: 2011-06-17
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 533 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • This is the must-have guide to personal finance, and I was gifted it when I headed off to university. David Chilton provides easy, no-nonsense advice on guiding you towards monetary independence. – Jolise, Audible Content Acquisition

    Price: $22.26 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $22.26 or 1 Credit

    • Written by: Esi Edugyan
    • Narrated by: Dion Graham
    • Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
    • Release date: 2018-08-28
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 884 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Winner of the Giller prize in 2018, Esi Edugyan's richly detailed saga of a Barbadian slave and his journey through a life in chains, and then of freedom and education, stunned me with its unexpected narrative. Like Washington Black himself, I was unsure of whom to trust in this story, which made it all the more riveting. – Sarah, Audible Editor

    Price: $32.62 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $32.62 or 1 Credit

    • Written by: Mark Twain
    • Narrated by: Nick Offerman
    • Series: Twain's Tom and Huck, Book 1
    • Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
    • Release date: 2016-09-20
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 485 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Few narrator-title matches are quite as perfect as that of Nick Offerman performing *Tom Sawyer*. His rich baritone lends an authoritative voice, and his love for Mark Twain's masterpiece shines through in each word. – Tori, Audible Editor

    Price: $26.82 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $26.82 or 1 Credit

    • A Novel
    • Written by: André Aciman
    • Narrated by: Armie Hammer
    • Series: Call Me By Your Name, Book 1
    • Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
    • Release date: 2017-10-03
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 726 ratings
    • Why We Think It's Essential
    • Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet were dynamite in the film version of André Aciman's heart-wrenching modern classic *Call Me by Your Name*. So who better to narrate the audiobook than Hammer, who steps inside the characters of Elio and Oliver with the grace and tenderness required in telling a beautiful, frank account of first love? This is a story for the ages. – Sarah, Audible Editor

    Price: $19.42 or 1 Credit

    Sale price: $19.42 or 1 Credit