Ultimate guide to Julia Whelan audiobooks

Learn about Julia’s self-discovery journey in becoming an expert audiobook narrator in our ultimate guide to Julia Whelan audiobooks.

Julia Whelan is an American actress, author, and accomplished audiobook narrator. In 2012, she quickly rose to fame in the audiobook world when she narrated the best-selling novel "The Witness" by Nora Roberts.

Today, Julia is one of the most renowned audiobook narrators. Her impressive catalog of narration acclaims includes "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," "Gone Girl, and "The Four Winds." With over 500 book titles to her name, deciding which one(s) to experience can be challenging.

This article discusses Whelan's journey in becoming the most sought-after voice in audio publishing and an ultimate guide to her best audiobooks.

Who is Julia Whelan?

Julia Whelan is a lifelong actor, screenwriter, bestselling author, and award-winning audiobook narrator. Her natural ability to breathe life into characters by giving each one its energy makes her a powerhouse in the audiobook industry.

Julia was born in Oregon and started as a child actor in a local community theatre. As a young girl, her regular visits to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival deepened her interest in an acting career. She's always loved acting and never intended to work in audiobooks.

However, her interest in audiobook narrating was sparked by one of her best friends, whose mother was an audiobook director and producer. She told Julia that her love of reading, acting experience, and English and Creative Writing degrees would make her a great narrator.

Once she had exhausted her options for finding work in the entertainment industry, she decided to provide a demo to her audiobook contact, and then the rest was history.

A reading guide for Julia Whelan audiobooks

Fantasy

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

This story is set in France in 1714, where a young woman makes a Faustian arrangement to be immortal. However, she is ill-fated by being forgotten by everyone she meets. Her extraordinary life spans centuries and continents, and then her situation changes when she bumps into a young man who remembers her name.

American author Victoria Schwab wrote this unforgettable tale of immortality, and Julia Whelan brings the character to life with transcendent narration.

Historical Fiction

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This mesmerizing novel describes the speedy rise of an iconic 1970s rock band. And how events unfold when the stunning lead singer unveils the secrecy that caused the band to split infamously.

Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote this captivating and memorable depiction of a seventies band, and Julia, along with 20 other golden voices in an ensemble cast, delivers a believable and epic listening experience.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This story describes an unforgettable night when four famous siblings host an epic end-of-summer party that changes their lives forever. By midnight the party grows out of control, and the mansion becomes an inferno by the morning. But somewhere between the two events, the family's generational secrets come bubbling to the surface.

This historical fiction novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid is another example of her sought-after audiobooks brought to life by Julia Whelan.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

This profoundly moving story was set in Texas in 1934. Millions are unemployed, and farmers fight to keep their land and livelihoods amidst drought and failing crops. During one of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the "Dust Bowl" era threatened to bury everyone.

This powerful novel of courageousness, love, and hope was written by New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah and performed by Julia Whelan. It includes a bonus conversation between Kristin and Julia.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

In 1974, a family fought for survival when they moved to North Alaska for life off-grid. They were supported by a fiercely independent community that compensated for their lack of experience and preparation. As the winter sets and they are blanketed in, they realize that there is no one to save them other than themselves.

Author Kristin Hannah and narrator Julia Whelan team up to deliver this epic story, and you may find it difficult to stop listening. Kristin's writing and Julia's pitch-perfect timing provide a flawless audiobook experience of a complex story of survival and human fragility.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Evelyn is an aging and solitary Hollywood star who decides to share her story of glamour and scandal. She chooses an unknown magazine reporter Monique, to write her bio. Monique is captivated by her ruthless ambition, forbidden love, and seven husbands. As the conclusion draws near, Monique realizes that their lives intersect.

New York Times bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid's depiction of Evelyn's life is mesmerizing and addictive. It's made real by talented narrators: Robin Miles, Alma Cuervo, and Julia Whelan.

Memoirs

Educated by Tara Westover

Tara Westover delivers an unforgettable memoir of entering adulthood during extreme patriarchal beliefs and abuse while discovering the outside world via education. Whelan's powerful performance captures Westover's pain, grief, confusion, and determination.

Romance

Beach Read by Emily Henry

Beach Read is based on an engagement between a romance writer who has stopped believing in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut. These two polar opposites only have writer's block in common. During a summer-long challenge they set themselves, they use creativity to complete their books and change their beliefs in happily ever after.

Beach Read is written by New York Times bestselling American romance novelist Emily Henry and narrated by Julia Whelan.

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Emma Blair elopes with her high school sweetheart, Jesse, and enjoys a life of travel and adventure. Jesse goes missing one day during a helicopter ride, and Emma later finds happiness when she falls in love again. Then when Jesse returns, Emma is forced to choose her one true love.

This moving love story is written by best-selling author Taylor Jenkins Reid and narrated by Julia Whelan.

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Best friends Poppy and Alex have taken a summer vacation together every year for a decade. Until the year they ruined everything and stopped speaking. Poppy realizes that her best friend makes her happy and is surprised once he agrees to take another vacation to make things right.

New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry write this funny and sizzling love story. Julia Whelan delivers an outstanding performance in bringing the story to life.

Thriller

The Witness by Nora Roberts

Nora presents a riveting thriller about a young girl who rebels against her controlling mother one night by excessively drinking in a nightclub. A Russian accent seduces her, and the following events change her life forever.

This story is New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts's 200th novel and an Audie award winner. Julia Whelan performs a perfect portrayal of high-stakes suspense and passionate romance.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen

"The Wife Between Us" is pure escapist entertainment gold. It's a thrilling and delightfully chilling exposure to the complications of a happy marriage and how human nature ignores brutal truths when in love.

This audiobook is an author collaboration between Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and was an instant New York Times bestseller. Julia Whelan will have you hooked as you listen for the truth through her stellar performance.

Saga

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This novel describes the epic adventure of a fiercely determined tennis player Carrie Soto. Her sacrifices and grit eventually make her the world's best tennis player. After six years of retirement, Carrie decides to come out of retirement and retrain to fight for her title.

Taylor Jenkins Reid wrote this emotional and unforgettable journey of Carrie Soto. Julia Whelan and 11 other narrators deliver an excellent audiobook experience.

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FAQ

Who is the best audiobook narrator?

Julia Whelan is known as one of the best female narrators of 2022. Others include Jim Dale, Frank Muller, and Alan Cumming.

How many books has Julia Whelan narrated?

Julia has an audiobook booklist of over 400 titles.

How much do audiobook narrators make?

Experienced audiobook narrators can make between $100 and $350 per finished hour.

What is the best book narrated by Julia Whelan?

One of the best books narrated by Julia Whelan is "Educated" by Tara Westover.

What was Julia Whelan’s first audiobook narration?

Julia got her big break in 2012 when she narrated the best-selling novel "The Witness" by Nora Roberts. Her debut novels “My Oxford Year” and “Thank You for Listening” were best sellers in the New York Times list.