Enjoying your favorite works of literary fiction is possible even when you’re out and about or engaged in other activities. The solution is audiobooks. Read on to find out more about audiobooks in fiction.
If you’re interested in great fiction but can’t seem to find ample free time to read vast books, audiobooks represent an excellent source. You can find short stories, New York Times bestsellers, first-time authors, and more in audio format. This is great news for avid fiction readers since listening to a book instead of reading it allows you to enjoy your favorite titles wherever you are and whatever you do.
This article will tell you where to find the best books in audio format. We’ll also recommend some must-read choices.
The best audiobooks sources
If you want great fiction audiobooks to read on your own or add to your book club, there’s no shortage of online platforms to browse for great works. From Pulitzer Prize winners to new writers on the rise, the following services will satisfy all your reading or listening needs.
Audible
Audible is among the most popular audiobook vendors. The service has many titles, including originals and podcasts that you can’t find on other sites. Audible titles span multiple languages, meaning fiction works will be available to users from various countries.
The service is subscription-based, but non-members can purchase audiobooks, too. Every title you buy from Audible will stay in your library, even if your membership ends.
Audiobooks.com
Audiobooks.com is an excellent alternative for services like Amazon’s Audible, with more than 250,000 titles and millions of podcasts. The selection includes some of the best fiction titles, editions from publishers large and small, and a wide selection of authors.
Apple Books
Apple Books offers a decent selection of titles, including e-books and audiobooks. The service is similar to Apple Music, and purchasing a title on Books functions much like buying a song on Music.
Titles on Apple Books are separated in convenient categories, making them easier to find.
Google Play Books
Google Play Books also sells audiobooks individually. Like with Apple Books above, once you buy an audiobook from the app, you own it forever.
Some valuable features of Google Play Books include a timer, speed adjustment, synchronization across different devices, and browser support. While you can use the browser version, mobile apps are available for extended functionality.
The audiobooks you have to check out
Here’s a list of audiobooks you shouldn’t miss. The list includes titles across sub-genres like science fiction and historical fiction.
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, narrated by Julia Whelan
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, narrated by Jennifer Beals
- The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, narrated by Tom Hanks
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, narrated by Jennifer Lim
- The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale (Unabridged) by Margaret Atwood, narrated by a full cast, including Claire Danes and Margaret Atwood
- Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris, narrated by David Sedaris
- The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien, narrated by Rob Inglis
- Lessons in Chemistry: A Novel (Unabridged) by Bonnie Garmus, narrated by Bonnie Garmus
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, narrated by Stephen Fry and Martin Freeman
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, narrated by Sissy Spacek
- A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin, narrated by Roy Dotrice
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, narrated by Shayna Small
FAQ
What is the most listened-to audiobook?
Some of the most popular audiobooks currently include The Sandman by Neil Gaiman, Verity by Colleen Hoover, Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, and Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr.
Are audiobooks as beneficial as real books?
Audiobooks might even be more beneficial than regular books. Listening to a book may help you better remember its content, and you can listen at higher speeds, which saves time. Plus, audiobooks are ideal for multitasking.
Who is the best narrator of audiobooks?
Some of the best audiobook narrators include Scott Brick, Cassandra Campbell, Robin Miles, and Prentice Onayemi. Audiobooks can often feature famous actors like Tom Hanks and Stephen Fry.
What types of books are best for audiobooks?
Every book is adaptable into an audiobook. The format is very flexible, and the audiobook quality will depend more on the narrator’s voice than the genre of the source material.
What are the benefits of audiobooks?
Audiobooks help you multitask while listening to your favorite works. They are also crucial for people with dyslexia or other learning disabilities as audiobooks remove the challenges such persons might have with reading.
Are audiobooks only for people who cannot read?
While audiobooks are an excellent solution for people who have difficulties reading, this format is suitable for those who’d like to enjoy a book while doing something else or when they’re on the move.
