5 Audiobooks You Won’t Tune Out

by Lisa Preziosi

|

5 books

Unlike regular reading, I often find my thoughts wandering when I listen to many audiobooks. But once I find the right one, and am drawn in, it’s amazing. This list includes 5 books that kept my attention and that I remembered long after they were done.

Read more... Read less...

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt, 2022

So often shifting narrations from different character viewpoints fall flat in fiction, but Remarkably Bright Creatures is flawless. An exceedingly clever giant Pacific octopus, named Marcellus, acts as our most compelling narrator, offering a unique perspective into the human condition and the facets of loneliness. Van Pelt does a remarkable job in making us care about each of the characters she introduces. You are invested in their lives and the connections between them. The audio book has a masterful narration of Marcellus by Michael Urie and ranks as one of my absolute favorite audiobooks of all time.

Butcher & Blackbird

The Ruinous Love Trilogy

Brynne Weaver, 2024

What happens when two serial killers of serial killers fall in love? A lot of witty banter, some cannibalism, and plenty of sex. This audiobook is the most inappropriate love story I’ve ever read, but it was such a fun, and compelling ride. The duet style narration elevated the story and I wish more books utilized this style.

Third Eye

Felicia Day, 2023

This book is more like an audio play with sound effects and a large voice cast, featuring well-known actors like Sean Astin and Felicia Day. It’s a funny spin on the chosen one/save the world trope and a ton of fun. It’s the perfect choice for a long car trip.

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

Abbi Waxman, 2019

Sometimes you just want a feel-good story about a character that resonates. Nina Hill is awkward and isolated and relates to books far more than people. You get to watch her come out of her shell and have a few laughs along the way. The narration is solid and compliments the witty prose. A great pick to cheer you up on a grey, rainy day.

Anxious People

Fredrik Backman, 2020

Backman introduces us to a clever mystery involving an interrupted bank heist, and a cast of incredibly anxious, absurd, and unlikeable characters, taking on the seemingly herculean task of making us care about these self-involved people and in the end, actually succeeds. This whimsical and humorous take on the human condition will make you laugh and remember the characters long after you’ve closed the book.