Audiobooks under 10 hours

Audiobooks have attracted countless readers across the world. They’re convenient and engaging and provide a unique reading experience. With services like Amazon’s Audible, there’s no shortage of audiobooks you can enjoy. Whether you’re a sci-fi or historical fiction fan, audiobook services are full of titles from different genres.

However, some titles take over 15 or 20 hours to complete and not everyone has time to listen to sweeping epics. When you’re on a road trip or catching up with work, you may want something short and sweet to keep you company. 

Our list of the best audiobooks contains some high-quality short stories from different authors you can enjoy right now. 

The best short audiobooks under 10 hours

The following bestsellers clock in at less than 10 hours, guaranteeing a short listen. 

Another Brooklyn by Jacqueline Woodson

This coming-of-age tale follows August as she reflects on her childhood in Brooklyn. Her father is raising two children, and when he dies, they have different ways of coping with the tragedy.

While August turns to her friends, her brother turns to religion. But 20 years have passed and August is back in Brooklyn, a place that now unsettles her. She’ll have to confront her past and relive memories of loss, guilt, and broken friendships to find peace. 

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Two teenagers, both called Will Grayson, live entirely different lives. Chance brings them together one night in Chicago and the boys become part of the same group of friends. Both Wills narrate this young adult tale, full of fake IDs, music, friendships, and heartbreak. 

This title translates perfectly into audiobook form, where the two narrators capture the humor and unique voices of the two main characters. 

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Mary Shelley’s classic tale is about Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant scientist obsessed with bringing his creations to life. When he finally succeeds, he realizes that he has created a hideous monster instead of a perfect specimen of man. Victor rejects the creature, who runs away and experiences nature, poetry, and life’s simple pleasures for the first time.

Feeling abandoned by humankind, the creature longs for a companion that can relate to his own experiences. Shelley penned the story during a period of great social change and the plot questions the ethics of science. 

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

This spooky young adult novel is a sci-fi tale about a boy called Nobody Owens. Nobody, nicknamed “Bod,” is an orphan, but a graveyard’s supernatural tenants adopt him after his family’s murder. Bod befriends ghosts, learns a few supernatural skills, and forms a bond with a young girl named Scarlett.

But when a mysterious man keeps reappearing around the graveyard, Bod must defend his home and make the most difficult decision of his young life. 

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

With approximately eight million ratings, the first Harry Potter book is among the most popular titles on Goodreads. The main character is an orphan growing up in his aunt and uncle’s home. When a strange-looking man appears, Harry’s life turns upside down. He learns he’s a wizard who is to study magic at Hogwarts, the prestigious school for witchcraft and wizardry.

Although he escapes his mean caregivers, Harry has a tough road ahead. With the help of his new best friends, he must find a way to oppose a cunning enemy the magic world has tried to forget. 

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara Baptista feels lost in her neighborhood and her relationship with her mom. High school isn’t much better; she wants to voice her feelings but doesn’t believe her words are strong enough. For this reason, Xiomara hides her thoughts in a leather notebook.

But after she joins a slam poetry club, she can’t help but wonder how it would feel to perform her poetry. While not everyone is interested in what she has to say, the young slam poet refuses to remain silent. 

This is the debut novel of Elizabeth Acevedo, a well-known slam poet. The work won a National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. 

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Okorafor’s science fiction novella tells the story of Binti, the first of her kind to be accepted into the prestigious Oomza University. But pursuing her studies means leaving behind her family and embarking on a dangerous intergalactic voyage. Binti knows the value of education and will do what it takes to get to university, even if it means traveling with people who don’t respect her culture and customs.

She’ll also come face to face with Meduse, a race waging war against the Oomza University. To survive, Binti must rely on what she learns through education and the ancient wisdom of her people. 

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

This novel is different to Christie‘s other murder mysteries. The “queen of crime” tells the story of seven strangers who travel to a remote island after receiving anonymous invitations. Upon their arrival, they’re shocked to learn that the three staff members were hired by an anonymous employer too.

As the guests start questioning the absentee host’s identity, a murder takes place. And then another. If they are to get off the island alive, the remaining guests must outsmart the killer. But who can they trust? British actor Dan Stevens narrates the audiobook version of this gripping tale. 

Speechify

Listened to everything on this list and can’t get enough of listening while you multitask? We’ve got great news, Speechify can transform any digital or physical text into speech, much like a podcast. Listen to a digital news article while driving or your hand-written study materials while cooking by scanning your notes into the app. With Speechify, it’s easy. The program also offers an impressive language selection and numerous natural-sounding male and female voices. In addition, you can control the narration speed and go through any document in less than 10 hours. 

Try Speechify for free today and see if it is right for you.

FAQ

What book is about a girl who is trying to escape from a cult?

“Girl at the End of the World” by Elizabeth Esther and “Looking for Cassandra Jane” by Melody Carlson both chronicle a girl’s attempt to break free from a cult.

What are the benefits of audiobooks?

Listening to audiobooks increases reading speed, improves comprehension, and helps those who learn better through multi-modal learning. It’s also great for multitasking and boosting productivity.