It’s true — we’re all glued to our phones. There’s just something about the blue light of that screen that hypnotizes us. But what if, instead of mindlessly scrolling through apps, you could get something more enriching out of your screen time? What if you could put in your AirPods or slip on your noise-cancelling headphones and experience a whole other world, or gain a new understanding of the people and places around you?
More than likely, we don’t have to introduce you to the magic of audiobooks. Their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and for good reason. The convenience of listening to a book while commuting, walking, exercising or grocery shopping cannot be overstated, and all while getting to books that have been piling up on your TBR. According to Publishers Weekly, 38% of American adults listened to audiobooks in 2024 — an increase since 2023, and the stats are expected to keep growing.
Maybe you’re one of the 38% who’s in the know about audiobooks — or maybe you’re part of the 62% that still haven’t been convinced. Either way, you’ve come to the right place. Where better to get your audiobook recs from than professional readers and reviewers? (And yes, we’re putting an end to the debate — audiobooks count as reading.) Check out our list below of must-listen audiobooks to hit your 2025 reading goals and find your next 5-star listen.
Secret Sister by Sarah A. Denzil
There are lots of great novels about family secrets, but Secret Sister by Sarah A. Denzil has a really unique premise. Plus, it’s set on the Yorkshire moors, so you know it’ll be a bit gothic. The protagonist, Faye Mathis, is a well-known author whose diagnosis of early-onset dementia turns her life upside down. She deals with it the way she knows best: through writing. Specifically, a memoir — a project with a deadline that’s a ticking time bomb. But as she dives into her family history, the more puzzling her family tree becomes — missing information and branches that end abruptly. When a picture of a disoriented and disheveled Faye wandering out on the moors goes viral, Faye is convinced that it’s someone else in the photo. The more Faye digs for answers, the stranger things get, and the more she must question what she thinks she knows. The audiobook features a stellar cast, including Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) and Joanne Froggatt (Sherwood), who do a great job bringing the story to chilling life.
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
If you haven’t seen highlights from the Lights Out audiobook on your FYP, then you’re missing out! Lights Out is the first in Navessa Allen’s new Into Darkness series, which features standalone dark rom-coms. This book manages to play off familiar dark romance tropes — including some knife play and a bit of light stalking — but in a more light-hearted rom-com setting. I knew from the first soundbite that this would be both spicy and hilarious, and it did not disappoint! And the duet performances from Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan were top-tier and made it so much more fun than just reading the book. Whether you like to listen while driving to work or as you’re falling asleep (my personal favorite bedtime tradition), I cannot recommend this audiobook enough. And with the recent release of the second book, Caught Up, you bet I’ll be tuning in again!
Animal by Lisa Taddeo
Natalie (Publicist & Social Media):
I love to alternate between reading a book and listening to the audio version, and I recently did this with Animal by Lisa Taddeo. As I was listening, I noticed the narrator sounded very familiar. I was shocked to find out that Emma Roberts was narrating, and boy, she was compelling! Her narration evoked her American Horror Story and Scream Queens days, which suited the main character, Joan, extremely well. I highly recommend giving this a listen!
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Kendall (Graphic Artist & Publicist):
My favorite audiobook at the moment has to be Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. I finished it about a month ago, and Kimmerer’s message and gorgeous reading have stayed with me long after the last page. An insightful blend of scientific philosophy, Indigenous American history and personal memoir, Braiding Sweetgrass is a story about a young Potawatomi girl growing up in beautiful upstate New York, with a fierce love for the land and history of her people. Kimmerer teaches not what the earth can do for us, but what we all can do to have a more balanced and reciprocal relationship with the world. I wish all teachers could speak as eloquently and passionately about their work as Robin Kimmerer, and that more people can experience listening and learning from her for years to come.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Cammy (Social Media Associate):
My favorite audiobook would have to be The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, narrated by George Weightman and Katie Leung. Part sci-fi, part lit fic and part love story, this novel follows two characters involved in the British government’s cutting-edge research into time travel. Weightman and Leung do a fantastic job of narrating, hitting the mark on everything from bone-dry humor to heart-pounding suspense to the point where it feels like life has been breathed into these characters — one of whom has been dead for 180 years. Also, fans of the Arcane TV show will recognize Katie Leung as the voice of Caitlyn Kiramman, which is an excellent bonus.
My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand
As soon as I found out Barbra Streisand was coming out with her memoir, I was crossing my fingers that she would be doing her own narration. I’ve been listening to her music for so many years, and to have 48 hours of nothing but Barbra is my dream come true! In My Name Is Barbra, the listeners are taken on an intimate journey through her extraordinary life and career. From sharing her roots growing up in Brooklyn to becoming a global superstar and icon. Barbra talks about the highs, heartbreaks, music and movies in her warm, witty and unfiltered style. As a fan, this audiobook felt like a backstage pass to her incredible journey.
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
I’m a huge fan of James McBride, whom I first discovered with his memoir, The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to his White Mother. His gorgeous prose and heartfelt examination of what it means to be Black and what it means to be Jewish in America struck a deep chord. He explores these themes in his fiction as well, and his deeply rooted and exquisitely researched novel, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, was stunning in its moving depiction of the people of a tiny town in Pennsylvania. The book combines a murder mystery with a love letter to family, community, culture, social justice and faith in humanity. Dominic Hoffman’s resonant baritone and ability to pick out the fine shades of different voices and accents are remarkable. His voice effortlessly depicts genders, ages and ethnic differences, revealing the nuance between members of the same culture from slightly different geographic locations. A terrific listen.
Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte
Camryn (Social Media Director):
My favorite audiobook is Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte, a truly singular short story collection. Each of Tulathimutte’s stories explores rejection through a different lens, brilliantly reflecting facets of millennial culture, internet echo chambers, and modern dating dynamics. A must-read for the chronically online and perpetually existential, made all the more poignant with a slate of talented audiobook actors.
The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty
If I had to pick a favorite audiobook (rude, but okay), it’s The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty. It’s terrifying in all the right ways — possessed little girl, chaos, vomit, Latin insults — and the narration? Chef’s kiss creepy. The sound effects alone made me check under my bed. Twice. It’s perfect for new moms up at 3 AM, nursing a baby and wondering if that creaking noise was the cat or Satan. Forget white noise, try demon shrieks and existential dread instead. Honestly, post-partum scares? Way more effective than post-partum self-help. 10/10 would haunt myself again.