Top 10 authors with audiobooks

Audiobooks have a long and important history. They were introduced as an assistive tool in 1932 by the American Foundation for the Blind. People with vision impairment could listen to the classics like William Shakespeare’s plays for the first time.

In recent years, audiobooks have become incredibly popular. Some modern authors even narrate their own books. Services like Amazon Audible turned audiobooks into a mainstream phenomenon.

The best audiobooks authors

There are countless audiobooks available today, regardless of the genre you enjoy. Short stories, sci-fi, true crime, autobiographies, history, and drama are all available in many languages. You can also search for The New York Times‘ current list of bestsellers or check out the top picks from Oprah’s Book Club.

Another way to search for the best audiobooks is to focus on award-winning titles. The Pulitzer and the Booker Prizes usually signify great reads. But you can also review the Audie Awards list for inspiration. Some literary podcasts often recommend excellent audiobooks, too.

Here, we’ve also comprised a list of top 10 authors with audiobooks that will likely capture your attention. You can find abridged and unabridged versions of their audiobooks on many platforms.

1. Stephen King

As one of the most prolific modern writers, Stephen King barely needs an introduction. He writes novels, novellas, and stories of everyday people in unusual settings. Many of his books are situated in New England, and some follow a single life story.

Others are about a specific event that causes sudden and terrifying changes. Stephen King’s books are about horror, mystery, science fiction, supernaturalism, and redemption arcs. Some popular audiobooks are The Stand, Misery, The Dark Tower series, The Shining, It, and Carrie.

2. Stan Lee

If you’re wondering who the genius behind Marvel Comics is, the answer is Stan Lee. He was an American comic book writer responsible for creating characters like Dr. Strange, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and franchises such as X-Men and The Avengers.

Some of the most popular Stan Lee audiobooks are The Ultimate Super Villains, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, and The Dragon’s Return.

3. J.K. Rowling

You can find all Harry Potter books written by J.K. Rowling on the best audiobook platforms, but this best-selling author has written other works, too.

The Causal Vacancy, the literary fiction narrated by Tom Hollander, is just one of the choices to consider. The youngest audiobook enthusiasts can listen to The Christmas Pig, a J.K. Rowling children’s book about one boy and his toy pig.

4. John Grisham

If you’re a fan of crime fiction and thrillers that will keep you at the edge of your seat, John Grisham audiobooks are the top choice.

The classics like The Pelican Brief or A Time to Kill are fantastic introductions to this author. John Grisham’s audiobooks might elevate the heart rate but also talk about common themes such as corruption and revenge.

5. James Patterson

Author James Patterson’s books tackle many different genres. If you love suspense thrillers, consider an audiobook of The Russian. If you’re more of a fan of adventure, consider Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment.

He is also Children’s Choice Book Awards for his work in young adult fiction. Those who love a good detective series can listen to his NYPD Red audiobook, narrated by Jay Snyder and Edoardo Ballerini.

6. Anne Rice

The most famous work of Anne Rice is The Vampire Chronicles, a series of novels. The themes in her books are love, death, existentialism, immortality, and supernatural occurrences.

Many would describe her as a gothic horror fiction writer. However, she has also written books about religious themes like Called Out of the Darkness, where she discusses her spiritual awakening.

7. R.L. Stine

Robert Lawrence Stine, aka R.L. Stine, is an American novelist and short story writer. He mostly writes teenage literature with science fiction and horror elements. He includes humor and fantasy in his work that draws a young audience.

R.L. Stine’s best-selling series is Goosebumps. Every book is a scary but humorous retelling of one child’s encounter with a supernatural element.

8. Dean Koontz

A well-written suspense thriller is a favorite to many. That’s why Dean Koontz audiobooks are so incredibly popular.

Titles like Watchers, Devoted, Quicksilver, or Elsewhere are enough to familiarize you with his work. The audiobook Phantoms is also a first-rate suspense tale.

9. Danielle Steel

If you’re in the mood for romance, Danielle Steel audiobooks are the recommended read. She is one of the four bestselling fiction authors of all time and has written nearly 200 books. That’s why it’s so difficult to single out her best audiobooks. You may want to consider Suspects, Beautiful, Invisible, High Stakes, Royal, and Blessing in Disguise.

10. Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison was an American writer who left a meaningful impact on the world. Her contribution to the African American communities and beyond is immeasurable. Her novel, Beloved, is one of the most listened-to audiobooks of all time.

It follows the story of Sethe, a young woman freed from slavery, and her daughter. In this book and many others, Toni Morrison discusses mother-daughter relationships, the psychological effects of slavery, coming-of-age, manhood, pain, and other family relationships. Other Toni Morrison audiobooks are The Bluest Eye, Song of Solomon, and Jazz.

Honorable mentions

We’ve discussed some of the top 10 authors with audiobooks, but here are a few authors and their best books that deserve attention:

• Donna Tartt (The Goldfinch)

• Ta-Nehisi Coates (Between the World and Me)

• Michelle Obama (Becoming)

• David Sedaris (Happy-Go-Lucky)

• Neil Gaiman (Good Omens)

• Trevor Noah (Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood)

FAQ

Who is the most famous audiobook narrator?

One of the most famous audiobook narrators is George Guidall, but Julia Whelan and Frank Muller are popular too. Also, actors like Tom Hanks and Stephen Fry have narrated many audiobooks.

What is the most popular audiobook?

It’s nearly impossible to single out one audiobook. But some of the most listened-to are Educated by Tara Westover, Dune by Frank Herbert, The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

What are the most popular genres for audiobooks?

Some of the most popular genres are mystery, science fiction, biographies, romance, and self-help.

What is the longest audiobook?

According to the Guinness World Records, the longest audiobook is Shree Haricharitramrut Sagar by Indian authors Gyanjivandasji Swami-Kundaldham and Shwarcharandasji Swami. It is around 2,400 hours, or 100 days long.