The Best Audiobook Narrators Who Bring Novels to Life

A great audiobook can transport you to another world, but it’s the narrator who makes the experience truly unforgettable. The best audiobook narrators don’t just read the story; they perform it, bringing the characters to life. In this post, we’re spotlighting 16 of our favorite voices in the business.

Whether you’re a longtime audiobook listener or just starting out, we highly recommend you explore these skilled narrators through the titles we’ve detailed below. Of course, not everyone enjoys the same narrators, so we always suggest listening to a sample before purchasing an audiobook. Samples are available for every book on both Audible and Libro.

At the end of the post, you’ll find some helpful tips for downloading and listening to audiobooks.

Our Three Favorite Audiobook Narrators

Julia Whelan

There’s no question about which narrator tops our list – it’s Julia Whelan, hands down. With a background as a professional actress and degrees in English and Creative Writing, Whelan has built an impressive career as one of the most prolific audiobook narrators. She has narrated over 600 books across a wide range of genres, so even if you’ve only listened to a few highly rated audiobooks, the odds are good you’ve heard her voice.

Her list of awards and accolades as a narrator seems to stretch on endlessly, but on top of that, she’s also an accomplished author. Her 2022 novel, Thank You For Listening, is our top recommendation.

Whether you’re looking for your very first audiobook listen or simply interested in learning more about the world of book narration, there’s no better place to start than an audiobook about an audiobook narrator who takes you behind the scenes in the world of audiobook narration.

Thank You for Listening book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.2 out of 5
98%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

Sewanee “Swan” Chester was an actress whose star was rising. Following a tragic accident, her days on film sets are now long behind her, and she spends her days in the sound booth as an audiobook narrator. Despite finding early success narrating romance novels, Swan is a real-life romance skeptic, and she’s since moved on to narrating different genres.

After a trip to Vegas to moderate a panel at a book convention, she returns home to a job offer to narrate one last romance book alongside the industry’s hottest male voice – Brock McNight. The lucrative offer is too good to pass up, especially because she needs the funds to help her beloved, ailing grandmother. (We could go on and on about how much we love her grandma!)

Like Sewanee, her male counterpart narrates under a pseudonym. Since she and Brock live on opposite sides of the country, they collaborate via correspondence. This allows both of them to open up slowly. But even as they begin to form a genuine connection, Sewanee struggles to be honest with him about her accident because she doesn’t believe she deserves a happily ever after.

Of course, given that a well-known audiobook narrator writes this novel about two audiobook narrators, it seems almost unnecessary to say… but this book is meant to be listened to.

The Book Girls Say…

Julia Whelan is one of our favorite audiobook narrators, and we both love the rom-com genre. Even with both of those things in mind, this book still blew away our expectations. Not only was it as smart and funny as we had hoped for, but it was also much more profound and tackled some challenging issues with honesty and heart.

Keep in mind that while this book is not overly spicy, there are some open-door scenes, including one early on in the novel.

Whelan is also the author and narrator of My Oxford Year.

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There’s really no way we could narrow it down to just a couple of other audiobooks narrated by Julia Whelan to call the “best,” so instead we decided to highlight two 2025 releases that top our own TBRs.

Home of the American Circus book cover

Book Summary

Freya had been working as a bartender in Maine, but after an emergency left her short on cash, she headed back to her hometown of Somers, New York. In Somers, she could at least stay in the house she inherited from her estranged parents without worrying about rent.

She’s shocked to find that her 15-year-old niece, Aubrey, has been secretly living in the derelict home. While she intended to lay low in Somers, Freya is not only reconnecting with Aubrey, but also encounters childhood friends, familial enemies, and old flames around town.

Throughout the story, Aubrey and Freya begin to repair both the home and their relationship, and readers slowly learn the difficult reasons Freya initially fled from Somers.

The Book Girls Say…

Reviewers say the novel is rich with descriptions and vividly drawn side characters in addition to the main characters.

Larkin also wrote, and Whelan also narrated, The People We Keep, which we both rated 5 stars. It would also be a great choice if you can’t get your hands on this new release.

Great Big Beautiful Life book cover

Book Summary

Margaret Ives is the daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th century, but the former tabloid princess hasn’t been seen in years. Now in her 80s, this tragic heiress is ready to tell her story. She invites two authors to Little Crescent Island for a one-month trial period, after which she intends to choose one to write her memoir.

The two authors she has invited couldn’t be more different. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-Prize winner with the personality of a thundercloud. Alice Scott, on the other hand, is an eternal optimist still working toward her big break as a writer.

Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story, but because of their ironclad NDAs, Hayden and Alice can’t share what they’ve learned in order to put together a more complete picture. Whether her story is a mystery, a tragedy, or a love ballad is yet to be determined. The same can be said for the story between Alice and Hayden, who can’t deny the inconvenient pull between them each time they’re in the same room.

The Book Girls Say…

Julia Whelan has narrated all of Henry’s adult fiction novels, so if the library waitlist is too long for this new release, you can’t go wrong with any other Emily Henry title.

We’ve always loved that Henry’s romance novels are more than just that, but the consensus seems to be that Henry has entered new writing territory with this novel. Early readers say that this book’s writing style is classic Emily Henry, but it’s even heavier on the plot and lighter on the romance (with many comparing it to the work of Taylor Jenkins Reid).

More Julia Whelan-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: The Women by Kristin Hannah; The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry; Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez; Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid; The Measure by Nikki Erlick; and The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes.

Marin Ireland

We first discovered the narration of Marin Ireland when listening to the audiobook of Beartown by Fredrik Backman, and since that time she’s become one of our favorites. With a long list of Broadway and Off-Broadway acting credits to her name, as well as numerous on-screen roles, it’s no wonder she excels at bring books to life.

We’re highlighting two new Ireland-narrated novels that are on our TBR, as well as a highly-rated backlist title, but you can’t go wrong with any audiobook featuring her voice. And of course, we’d be remiss not to note that she is one of two voices that make Remarkably Bright Creatures one of our favorite audiobooks.

My Friends book cover

Book Summary

When looking at one of the most famous paintings in the world, it’s easy to miss the three tiny figures in the corner at the far end of the pier. You might even think they’re just part of the sea. But 18-year-old Louisa, an artist herself, noticed them. The painting has unexpectedly been bequeathed to her and she’s determined to find out the story behind the enigmatic figures.

Twenty-five years ago, a group of teenagers spent their days hanging out and laughing out on the pier to escape their difficult lives at home. Joar never backs down from a fight. Bookish Ted is mouning his father. Ali’s dad never stays in place for long. And then there the boy who hoards sleeping pill and doesn’t want too much attention, but who has an extraordinary telent for art.

Louisa sets out on a cross-country journey to learn more about the work of art. The closer she gets to the painting’s birthplace, the more she feels compelled to unleash her own artistic spirit.

The Book Girls Say…

We will read anything Fredrik Backman writes, and anything Marin Ireland narrates, so we enthusiastically encourage everyone to consider this book in audio format! Ireland also narrates the full Beartown series, as well as Backman’s Anxious People.

If you are new to Backman’s writing, it may, at first, seem stream of consciousness, and you may even feel like you don’t understand what it’s about or where it’s going… but just keep reading and trust the journey. You’ll soon discover his immense talent for crafting characters and stories that will stick with you long after you’ve read the final page.

Run for the Hills book cover

Book Summary

Ever since her dad vanished two decades ago, it’s just been Madeline Hill and her mom on their organic farm in Coalfield, Tennessee. But her quiet routine is upended when Reuben Hill, a Boston-based novelist, arrives claiming to be her half-brother.

Reuben reveals that their father abandoned multiple families across the country and proposes a road trip to find their other half-siblings and confront their elusive father.

As Madeline and Reuben journey through America, they gather more siblings, each with unique stories shaped by the same absentee father. From a college basketball star in Oklahoma to a young filmmaker in Utah, the group navigates their shared histories and the complexities of newfound familial bonds.

The Book Girls Say…

Wilson also wrote, Ireland also narrated, and we also highly recommend Nothing to See Here. We were initially very skeptical about the premise of this 2019 magical realism novel (children catch on fire when they are angry), but it ended up making our list of the best books we read that year.

Mighty Red book cover

Book Summary

In North Dakota’s Red River Valley, life is fueled by the farming and processing of sugar beets. But climate change and years of farming the same crop have exhausted the soil. Some town members are concerned about the increasing number of chemicals required to sustain the crops.

Crystal hauls sugar beets but also has concerns outside of her town’s inevitable agricultural and economic collapse. Her daughter, Kismet, is a high school senior being persued by two boys. Gary is a football player set to inherit two farms and has proposed to Kismet. But Hugo, a local home-schooled teen still pines for her.

The Book Girls Say…

Louise Erdrich has won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for earlier works. Her character-driven literary novels, including this one, often include perspectives from Indigenous characters and rich descriptions of the land in North Dakota. She is an enrolled member of the Anishinaabe Nation (also known as Chippewa).

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More Marin Ireland-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: Beartown Series by Fredrik Backman; Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr; The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles; Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt; and Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult.

Patti Murin

Patti Murin is well known for her theatrical work on stage and screen, including originating the role of Princess Anna in Disney’s Frozen on Broadway. When theatrical productions shut down during the pandemic in 2020, Murin took to her in-home recording studio and began to build what has become an impressive resume of audiobook narration credits.

Since then, Murin has narrated many excellent audiobooks, including titles by Christina Lauren and Katherine Center. However, our top narration recommendation to get acquainted with her work is Family Family by Laurie Frankel, which includes a fascinating interview at the end in which Laurie Frankel and Patti Murin discuss the process of book narration.

Family Family book cover

Book Summary

India Allwood always wanted to be an actress and her dreams came true with success on Broadway and on TV. Now she’s making a movie about adoption, but she’s disheartened that the storyline doesn’t sit right with her.

India is an adoptive mom herself to twin 10-year-olds, and she’s tired of only seeing adoption stories in movies that are filled with pain and regret. So when she’s asked by a journalist, she tells the truth – she thinks the movie she’s making is a bad one. Soon, she’s caught in the middle of a media storm.

When her twins turn to family for help, things just get messier. One thing is for certain – no matter how families are formed, they are always complicated.

The Book Girls Say…

Author Laurie Frankel writes this book from experience as an adoptive parent herself. She is a master at compassionate family storytelling (we also loved This is How It Always Is), and this book is sure to spark excellent conversation.

This was one of Angela’s top reads of 2024, and she especially loved the narration by Patti Murin. Be sure to listen to the interview about audiobook narration at the end.

Love Haters book cover

Book Summary

Katie is on the verge of being laid off from her job as a video producer, so she’s forced to take a gig profiling Tom “Hutch” Hutcheson, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer in Key West.

There are two problems with her plan. First, Hutch is her co-workers brother and the men do NOT get along. And more importantly, she told a little fib that she knew how to swim.

Lies turn this assignment in paradise into a mess, but if Katie can face old fears and tell the truth, Hutch may be the man who makes her stop hating love.

The Book Girls Say…

Early readers report loving the fun side characters like Aunt Rue and George Bailey, Hutch’s rescued Great Dane. The lighter aspects of the story are coupled with some deeper topics, including body image and grief.

Patti Murin also narrates The Rom Commers, Hello Stranger, and The Bodyguard by Katherine Center. We love everything Center writes, so any Center/Murin collaboration makes an excellent audiobook choice.

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Florida Books: The Best Books Set in the Sunshine State

One Death at a Time book cover

Book Summary

Julia Mann is a sharp-tongued former actress with a murder conviction in her past. When she discovers a dead body floating in her Hollywood Hills pool, the police eye her as the prime suspect. IN order to clear her name and stay sober, Julia reluctantly teams up with her Gen Z Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, Natasha.

Their unconventional investigation leads them through the glitzy and bizarre underbelly of Los Angeles, from burlesque clubs to Palm Springs country clubs, encountering showgirls, cat burglars, and eccentric Hollywood agents.

As they navigate false leads and outrageous clues—including dead piranhas and oversized martini glasses—the duo forms an unexpected bond.

The Book Girls Say…

In recent years, we’ve come to love the new, contemporary style of cozy mysteries (think Finlay Donovan is Killing It and Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers), so we are very excited for this new title from Abbi Waxman.

Abbi Waxman is also the author of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill (one of our favorite books about book lovers) and The Garden of Small Beginnings. This is the first of her books narrated by Patti Murin, and it’s sure to be a match made in heaven.

More Patti Murin-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren; Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston; The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins; Far and Away by Amy Poeppel; and The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult. Cozy mystery fans will also want to check out the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery Series written by Amy Pershing and narrated by Patti Murin.

More Excellent Audiobook Narrators

Dominic Hoffman

James book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.2 out of 5
95%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

This thought-provoking novel transports you back to 1840s Missouri, the land of Huckleberry Finn. However, in James, you’ll find the story reimaged from the point of view of the enslaved man, Jim, who prefers to be called James.

James overhears that he’s about to be sold to a man in New Orleans. If this happens, he’ll never see his wife and daughter again. That thought is too much for him to bear, so he decides to hide on Jackson Island until he comes up with a long-term plan. The island is also the temporary home of Huck Finn, who is running from his abusive father.

Together, the unlikely duo is determined to make it down the Mississippi River to the elusive Free States. Along the way, they encounter the same trials Mark Twain included, but they feel different through the eyes of James.

The Book Girls Say…

Dialect plays an important role in this story, which makes the audio version of the book narrated by Dominic Hoffman especially powerful.

There is no need to re-read Huck Finn before picking up this brilliant retelling. It’s a short novel that flies by, making it perfect to listen to on a road trip, and it will make for a fascinating discussion afterward.

This book includes details of life in slavery, including rape, and includes the use of the N-word, which the author deems historically accurate.

Homegoing book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.4 out of 5
96%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

This multi-generation epic follows the divergent paths of two half-sisters born in 18th-century Ghana and their descendants over 300 years. Effia marries a wealthy Englishman and lives in a castle, but she doesn’t know Esi is imprisoned in the dungeon below. Esi is sold in the slave trade and shipped to America, where she, her children, and her grandchildren are raised in slavery. 

The book continues to follow each generation of both Effia and Esi all the way to the present day and includes a range of historical time periods, including the American Civil War and the Jazz Age.

The Book Girls Say…

Despite this long history, the book is only 305 pages, so not a traditional epic with extensive storylines for each generation. Instead, each chapter introduces a new character, and reads more like a series of short stories. Some readers are disappointed that not every chapter/character has a full arc and conclusion.

The audiobook version of this novel won the 2017 Audie Award for Literary Fiction & Classics. While most people love the way the narration brings the story to life, some find it a bit challenging to keep track of the characters in both audio and print formats. To help, you may want to consult the family tree available on the publisher’s website.

WARNING: This book contains graphic scenes of sexual and physical abuse, along with adult language.

More Dominic Hoffman-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride; The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern; The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate.

Caroline Lee

Secret Keeper book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.3 out of 5
91%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

As a teenager, Laurel escaped to her childhood treehouse during a party on the family farm. From this vantage point, she sees a stranger come up the road and speak to her mom. Later that afternoon, she witnesses a shocking crime that changes everything she knows about her family – especially the mother she idolizes.

Fifty years later, Laurel is now a successful actress living in London. When the family gathers for her mother’s 90th birthday, she realizes it may be one of her last chances to get answers to the questions that still haunt her from that day. Those answers will take readers into Dorothy’s past, spanning pre-WWII England through the Blitz, to the 1960s, and beyond.

The Book Girls Say…

There are two versions of this audiobook, one narrated by Caroline Lee and the other narrated by Kathryn Drysdale. While Drysdale is a great narrator in her own right, we recommend the Lee version linked here.

This is a long, character-driven novel, which means that it moves a bit slower. If you are new to audiobooks, it’s a great opportunity to play around with narration speed to find your own sweet spot. While some people prefer to stick with the original speed, many (including Book Girl Angela), prefer most audiobooks in the 1.5X to 2X range.

Readers say that just when you think you have the mystery figured out, new information will come to light that will keep you guessing.

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Here One Moment book cover

Book Summary

Aboard a short flight from Hobart to Sydney, Australia, a passenger (who will come to be known as “The Death Lady”) walks up and down the aisles telling each person the age at which they will die and the cause of death.

Some passengers learn that they have many, many years ahead of them, like one who will live to be 103. But for six passengers, their predicted deaths are less than a year away.

A few months after the flight, one passenger dies exactly as predicted. Then, soon after, two more. Now, even those who initially viewed their encounter with “The Death Lady” as an entertaining story to share at cocktail parties are paying close attention.

The Book Girls Say…

After asking ourselves, “Would we want to know how much time we have left?” while reading Nikki Erlick’s The Measure, we are totally intrigued by Liane Moriarty’s question in this new novel: “If you knew you had a certain amount of time left, would you do things differently?”

Australian Caroline Lee has narrated many of Liane Moriarty’s books, so if you have a different Moriarty title on your TBR, check it out to see if it’s one Lee has read.

More Caroline Lee-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth; The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline; Tilda is Visible by Jane Tara; Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty; The Lake House by Kate Morton; and Searching for Sylvia Lee by Jean Kwok.

January LaVoy

Good Dirt book cover

Book Summary

Ebby Freeman was just 10 years old when her brother was shot. She found him lying on the floor surrounded by shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar. The crime was never solved, but people still talk about it. The Freemans were one of only Black families in their well-to-do corner of New England, causing the case to have an enduring, voyeuristic pull for the public.

Now, eighteen years later, Ebby’s high-profile romance has fallen apart, leading to yet another media frenzy. Ebby flees to France to try to get away from it all, but her past follows her. She begins thinking back on the other loss her family suffered the day her brother died – a stoneware jar that had been in their family for generations. She knows the jar was brought North by an enslaved ancestor. What she doesn’t know, however, is that the pottery holds more than her family’s history – it might also hold the key to her future.

The Book Girls Say…

Angela read and loved Charmaine Wilkerson’s 2022 debut, Black Cake (narrated by Lynette R. Freeman), and is really looking forward to her sophomore novel, especially after discovering that this audiobook is read by January LaVoy!

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Best Book Club Books for 2025

Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.3 out of 5
98%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

Beverly is on the local schoolboard and her archrival Lula has turned into a local celebrity as she’s been on a mission to rid the public libraries of all inappropriate books—none of which she’s actually read.

To counteract the “pornographic” books housed in the local library, Lula starts a little library in her front yard, full of “worthy literature”.

At night, Beverly’s adult daughter Lindsay sneaks over to Lula’s little library and replaces the books, but swaps the dust covers. Suddenly, Our Confederate Heroes actually contains Beloved, and The Southern Belle’s Guide to Etiquette turns into The Girl’s Guide to the Revolution.

As Beverly and Lula’s rivalry intensifies when they run against each other to replace the mayor, the townspeople who have been changed by borrowing the books from Lula’s begin to reveal themselves. Everyone from the postman to the prom queen have something to say, eventually forcing Lindsay to confess.

The Book Girls Say…

This work of satire digs into what so many communities across the US have faced when people blindly fight for books to be removed from libraries without even reading them. While it addresses serious issues like racism, misogyny, antisemitism, and the frightening rise of neo-nazism, the humor, flawlessly delivered by January LaVoy’s narration, prevents it from being too heavy. One reviewer called it “a love letter to the power of banned books”.

More January LaVoy-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera; The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger; The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow; Booth by Karen Joy Fowler; Bad Summer People by Emma Rosenblum; and Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward.

Simon Vance

Secret Life of Albert Entwistle book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.2 out of 5
99%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

Albert Entwistle is a 64-year-old postal worker in the UK. He has no plans of retiring, but receives a letter informing him that his mandatory retirement is just around the corner on his 65th birthday.

Albert’s only friend is his cat, and although he isn’t chatty with others at work or on his routes, he still dreads being home alone without a job. When he’s reminded of his only romantic relationship, which happened 50 years prior, something begins to stir in Albert. Perhaps it’s not too late to find happiness after all?

With the help of some unexpected new friends, Albert sets off to find George, the man he hasn’t seen since they were teenagers.

The Book Girls Say…

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is a feel-good, heartwarming read that will pull at your heartstrings. The audiobook narrated by Simon Vance perfectly captures Albert’s conflicted feelings as he begins to open up to new friends. Although the storyline includes searching for a lost love, the book is not a romance – it’s really a 65-year-old coming-of-age tale.

Girl With the Dragon Tattoo book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.2 out of 5
97%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

When the teenager from one of Sweden’s wealthiest families disappears in 1966, her uncle is determined to find out what happened to her. For forty years, he wondered what really happened. Nearing the end of his life, he hires a down-on-his-luck investigative journalist and his angry and tattooed punk hacker prodigy to help him uncover the truth. The chilly Swedish backdrop sets the scene for this Nordic Noir novel that combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue.

WARNING: This novel includes some very graphic scenes, including sexual assault.

The Book Girls Say…

Simon Vance narrates all three books in the Millennium Series. He captures the suspense and intensity of the stories, making them all excellent listens.

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Simon Vance is also one the narrators on several highly rated full cast audiobooks, including By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult and North Woods by Daniel Mason.

Erin Bennett

Grace of the Empire State book cover

Book Summary

When the patriarch of the O’Connell family died in a workplace accident within months of the Stock Market Crash of 1929, Grace’s family lost nearly everything. But she was at least making money as a dancer while her twin brother had a well-paying, but dangerous, job on the beams of the Empire State Building.

Life threw them another twist when Grace’s club closed, leaving her without income, and her brother was injured on the job. If he couldn’t work, his entire four-person crew would be out of a job.

But Patrick has an idea. Could Grace use her time in the circus to take his role on the beams? She’ll have to pretend to be him, but they are twins…Could it work?

The Book Girls Say…

We’ve both been lucky enough to visit the top of the Empire State Building and see photos of the construction process, but reading this book gave us new perspectives on both the Empire State Building and this pivotal time in NYC history.

We rated this historical fiction five stars, and both especially enjoyed the narration by Erin Bennett!

Five-Star Weekend book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.0 out of 5
100%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

This novel centers around Hollis, a popular food blogger who loses her husband to a car accident. The fight she had with him right before he drove away drives an even deeper wedge between her and her teenage daughter, Caroline.

After learning about a trend called a “Five-Star Weekend,” where one woman organizes a trip for her best friends from each phase of life, Hollis decides to host her own. But gathering her best friend from each decade from childhood through midlife doesn’t turn out to be the joyful Hallmark movie she’d envisioned. But it will definitely be a weekend she’ll never forget.

The Book Girls Say…

Melissa loved this summer novel and agrees that it lives up to its 5-star namesake. While Elin delivers a page-turning beach read, she also provides plenty to think about in your own life. It’s the perfect mix of light reading and some deeper themes of friendship and relationships to keep it from being too fluffy.

Erin Bennett has narrated at least two dozen of Elin Hilderbrand’s novels and short stories, including many of our favorites like 28 Summers, The Hotel Nantucket, and the Winter in Paradise series.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 05/05/2025

More Erin Bennett-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis; Code Girls by Liza Mundy; The Next Mrs. Parish by Liv Constantine; and The Hunting Wives by May Cobb.

Adjoa Andoh

Girl With the Louding Voice book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.4 out of 5
99%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

Adunni is a 14-year-old girl living in poverty in a Nigerian village. She loves school and knows that learning all she can is the key to achieving a better life. But, despite promising to allow Adunni’s schooling to continue after her mother’s death, Adunni’s father makes a decision that ends her education in the village and changes the trajectory of her life.

You’ll be moved to both tears and cheers as Adunni endures and overcomes heartbreaking challenges while remaining focused on her dream of an education.

The Book Girls Say…

We would both give this one more than 5 stars if we could. Because dialect plays such an important role in this novel, we recommend the audiobook version narrated by Adjoa Andoh. The main character, Adunni, tells the story using her limited English, and one of the beautiful parts of the writing is that you can see her improvements over time.

While we’ve heard many readers say that they struggled with the phonetic spellings in the print version, and enjoyed the book more after switching to audio – there are some readers who report the opposite. If you struggle with the dialect in either audio or written form, suggest trying the other version before giving up. We promise it’ll be worth it!

In August of 2024, the sequel, And So I Roar, was released. Also narrated by Adjoa Andoh, Ajd picks up when Adunni is 15 years old, and the husband she escaped is searching for her. Again, she will need to use her louding voice to protect herself and others in her village.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown book cover

Book Summary

Chloe Brown is a wealthy 28-year-old computer geek with chronic pain who resolves to stop being boring – or in her words, to “get a life.” From riding a motorcycle and traveling to having meaningless sex, she has a six-step action plan to become a more exciting person.

Along the way, while attempting to be spontaneous, she meets (or more accurately, “meet cutes”) a tattooed handyman with a rough exterior, but maybe his rebel status isn’t all he has to offer.

The Book Girls Say…

As you might have guessed from Chloe’s list of goals, this is a steamy rom-com, but it’s also charming, sweet, and has more depth than you might expect because it addresses the issue of chronic illness.

If you enjoy the narration of this one, there are two more books in the Brown Sisters series, each of which can be read as a standalone.

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More Adjoa Andoh-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Island Queen by Vanessa Riley.

Barrie Kreinik

Good Sister book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.4 out of 5
100%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

The book has alternating narration between two twin sisters, Fern and Rose, 28-Years-Old. Fern thrives on routine and must avoid crowds and noise. She does all she can to avoid getting upset because that has led to tragedy in the past. 

Rose is her rock, so when Fern finds out Rose can’t have a baby, she decides to get pregnant and give Rose her baby to pay her back for always taking care of her. In her mind, this is a straightforward plan. But the plan ends up revealing layers of dark secrets along the way.

The Book Girls Say…

Wow! This one has some incredible twists and turns that will keep you reading to find out what will happen next! Melissa listened to it on audio and especially enjoyed the narration. She also loved that it was very suspenseful without being scary.

Barrie Kreinik also narrates many of Sally Hepworth’s other novels, including The Mother-In-Law, The Younger Wife, and The Soulmate.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 05/05/2025
Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.2 out of 5
91%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

Although this book is classified as historical fiction, it’s based on a larger-than-life real woman with an equally large heart. In her childhood, Majorie worked on gluing cereal boxes together for her father, the creator of Grape-Nuts, followed by the successful Post cereal empire. His company led the family to extreme wealth, but Marjorie wasn’t content to sit at home as American royalty.

While entertaining the rich and famous was part of her life, she also wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Her extraordinary life included everything from outrunning Nazis to serving the homeless during the Great Depression. She was also married four times and built impressive real estate along the way, including now-infamous Mar-a-Lago.

The Book Girls Say…

Because she was born in 1887 and lived through 1973, this book includes highlights of world history throughout that formative era, and the narration by Barrie Kreni transports you back in time! Barrie also narrated Pataki’s Finding Margaret Fuller.

Everything is told chronologically from a first-person perspective, so you’ll quickly feel a part of Marjorie’s life. And you’ll undoubtedly recognize the many ways in which her life has touched your own through General Foods.

More Barrie Kreinik-Narrated Audiobooks to Consider: Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy; Code Name Helene by Ariel Lawhon; We Are the Brennans by Tracey Lange; Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins; and No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister.

Lynette R. Freeman

Queen of Sugar Hill book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.25 out of 5
100%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

For many actors and actresses, winning an Oscar is the pinnacle of success that sets them up for an even better future. But for Hattie McDaniel, her best supporting actress win after playing the role of Mammy in the controversial movie Gone With the Wind was life-changing in a different way.

After winning, Hattie was trapped between two worlds, neither of which appreciated her. White Hollywood saw her only as her character, Mammy. The Black community, led by the NAACP, detested the demeaning portrayal of their community and waged war against her.

Through it all, Hattie struggled but also continued her fight to pave a path for other Negro actors, focused on war efforts, fought housing discrimination, and navigated four failed marriages. Along the way, she was supported by a core group of friends, including Clark Gable, Louise Beavers, Ruby Berkley Goodwin, and Dorothy Dandridge.

The Book Girls Say…

Hattie McDaniel was the first Black person to win an Oscar, yet her name is underrecognized today. Angela loved learning more about her life and resilience through this historical fiction novel, and hearing it narrated by Lynette R. Freeman in her spot-on McDaniel’s voice makes it feel like you’re getting the inside stories right from the source.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 05/05/2025

Among other novels she’s read, our other favorite Lynette Freeman-Narrated audiobook is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson.

Jim Dale

3 Harry Potter Book Covers

Book Summary

Harry Potter was orphaned as a baby and sent to live with his abusive aunt and uncle. On his eleventh birthday, he receives an invitation to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and learns for the first time that he possesses magical powers and that his parents did not die in a car accident but were, in fact, powerful wizards who were murdered.

At Hogwarts, Harry befriends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. Throughout each book, Harry and his best friends learn about their magic and overcome dangerous obstacles at every turn. The main story arc of the series involves Harry struggling to defeat Lord Voldemort, the powerful dark wizard who seeks to take over the wizarding world.

While these best sellers were originally written as middle-grade books, it’s important to keep in mind that the characters age 7 years over the course of the series. Kids who began reading the series when the first book was released were older teen readers by the time the final book was published. As a result, the series was written to grow with them, with later installments being young adult books rather than middle-grade.

The Book Girls Say…

Whether you are experiencing this series for the first time, considering a reread, or introducing them to kids in your life, we highly recommend listening to the audiobooks narrated by Jim Dale.

If you are considering listening to these with kids, we aware that each book has some elements that might be frightening to some children, depending on how sensitive they are, but the first three are generally enjoyable for most kids. The final four books, however, become darker and more complex. This is one of the reasons that teens and adults love them, but they might be a bit too intense for kids under age 10 or 11.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 05/05/2025
Night Circus book cover

Book Summary

The black-and-white striped tents appear overnight. There are no announcements or advertisements, and the circus, with its breathtaking amazement, is only open at night.

Two young magicians – Celia and Marco – have been trained since childhood by their two mentors. The Night Circus is the stage on which the two will compete for superiority, using all the powers they have been perfecting over the years.

This is a heart-wrenching love story with magical fantasy elements and memorable quotes throughout.

The Book Girls Say…

This novel is filled with dreamlike imagery, and many people recommend listening to it with your eyes closed so that Jim Dale’s narration can transport you there and completely immerse you in the world of the story.

Also Featured on These Book Lists:

Cozy Books to Read in the Fall of 2024

Families who enjoy Jim Dale’s narration may want to check out the many other family-friendly books he has narrated.

Isabella Star LaBlanc

Firekeeper's Daughter book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.6 out of 5
97%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

This YA thriller, written by a Native American author, is about a biracial teen who is an unenrolled member of the Ojibwe tribe. Daunis has never quite fit in at home or on the reservation. She dreams of heading to college, but after a tragedy, she must remain home to care for her mom.

Life takes another big turn when she witnesses a murder and then reluctantly goes undercover in the criminal investigation to infiltrate a drug ring in her community.

The Book Girls Say…

Although some feel that this book starts slow, it made the list of our reader’s favorite books of 2021! They mentioned that it’s especially great on audio because you get to hear the beautiful native language woven into the book.

Heads Up: The book contains a sexual assault.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 05/06/2025

Isabella Star LaBlanc also narrated A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Powers, among others.

Robert Ian Mackenzie

3 books from Bruno Chief of Police series

Book Summary

Bruno is a former soldier turned police officer who has happily embraced a slower way of life in the idyllic village of St. Denis in the South of France. But when a series of murders interrupt the peace and quiet of small-town life, Bruno must balance his beloved routines – living in his restored shepherd’s cottage, shopping at the local market, drinking wine – with his thrilling detective duties.

The Book Girls Say…

While the books in this series are murder mysteries, they are just as much stories about the people of St. Denis and life in the village, and as a result, it’s important to read them in order. Throughout each book, you see how their relationships evolve and get to know their slowly revealed pasts.

Not only did our readers vote this series one of their favorites, but they also highly recommend the narration by Robert Ian Mackenzie. They say that his voice will whisk you away to France and immerse you fully in the world of these mysteries.

Also Featured on These Book Lists:

Best Book Series for Adults – 18 Reader Picks

Robert Ian Mackenzie has also narrated many of the books in Alexander McCall Smith’s 44 Scotland Street series.

Authors Who Narrate Their Own Novels

We could create an entire list featuring the audiobooks narrated by their authors that we’ve enjoyed. In fact, we probably will in the future. But for now, we couldn’t create a list of our favorite audiobook narrators without including the following two author-narrated novels:

Guncle book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.3 out of 5
98%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

When family tragedy strikes, Uncle Patrick needs to take custody of his niece and nephew for the summer. Forty-three-year-old GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) loves the kids, but he’s used to them going home after a weekend.

Once a famous sitcom star, Patrick’s career is stalled. His Palm Springs lifestyle of cocktails at brunch isn’t exactly ideal for a 6 and 9-year-old. He quickly realizes that having the kids longer than a few days means he needs to be more of a parent figure. But in order to help the kids, Patrick will also have to figure out how to help himself. This means facing some difficult memories from his past and deciding what he wants for his future.

The Book Girls Say…

This book has much more depth than the cover might imply.  We both rated The Guncle 5 stars because it made us laugh, cry, and feel everything in between! And the narration by Steven Rowley makes Uncle Patrick all the more lovable!

Even though the family is recovering from grief and in the midst of another complicated situation, the Guncle is full of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud humor. Patrick is the embodiment of what you hope for in a family member or friend. He steps way outside of his comfort zone, leads with open-hearted love, and does his best when in an unexpected, difficult situation. The kids are equally fantastic characters!

If you’ve already read and enjoyed The Guncle, pick up The Guncle Abroad to catch up with Patrick and his whole family five years later.

Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell book cover

Book Girls’ Readers Rate This Book

4.5 out of 5
99%
Would Recommend to a Friend

Book Summary

Born with ocular albinism, Sam Hill’s red eyes cause him problems from the moment that he enrolled at Our Lady of Mercy. Labeled “Hell Boy,” he is bullied by not only his classmates but also by the nun who is the principal of the elementary school. Eventually, Sam finds the friend he desperately needs in Ernie Cantwell, the only African American boy in his class, and eventually also in a fiercely individual girl named Mickie.

Decades later, Sam is a respected ophthalmologist still moving through life with Ernie and Mickie by his side, but his world is about to be upturned when he’s unexpectedly reunited with the biggest school-yard bully from his past.

The Book Girls Say…

This is one of our all-time favorite reads! The writing feels effortless, but the complex character development will pull you in and stick with you long past the last page. Although Sam’s mother’s faith plays an important role in this story, we wouldn’t describe this book as religious.

We highly recommend the audiobook, which is narrated by the author himself! You may also enjoy The World Played Chess, also written and narrated by Dugoni (along with Todd Haberkorn). It’s heavily related to the Vietnam War and its lasting impact on one soldier.

Kindle Unlimited as of: 05/06/2025

Tips For Downloading Audiobooks

If you’re new to audiobooks, two good options – all of which offer subscription services – are Audible and Libro. You can read all about the pros and cons of an Audible subscription here. If you prefer to support independent bookstores, definitely check out Libro.fm.

Of course, libraries are also an excellent resource for free audiobooks, and most libraries use the Libby or Hoopla apps. We also recently discovered some libraries using an app called Boundless. If you’re not familiar with downloading audiobooks from the library, the librarian at your local branch can walk you through it!

If you are planning to use the library to borrow an audiobook, it’s best to plan ahead, as new releases can often have longer waits.

Audiobook Length Versus Speed

To help you select the perfect length book for your drive, we’ve listed the recorded length of each book right below the name of the narrator(s). These times are accurate if the book is played at 1x speed.

However, when starting each book, try different listening speeds to find the right balance for everyone. Often, books sound more natural and conversational when played at a higher speed (typically around 1.25), which reduces listening time. Angela and her husband typically prefer to listen to audiobooks at 1.5 speed. We recommend that you test out a few options to find what is best for everyone in your car.

Sign Up for the Book Lover’s Reading Challenge

Sign up for our email list below to receive a free printable tracker for the Book Lovers Reading Challenge. Our weekly email newsletter helps you stay on track with friendly reminders while still allowing you the flexibility to read at your own pace.

Printable Version of This Book List

Readers who support The Book Girls’ Guide through our Buy Me a Coffee (BMAC) membership site can access printable versions of the reading challenge book lists. As we update each book list throughout the year – following the monthly reading challenge schedule – each list will be available in a single-page printable format for our BMAC members.

We offer two membership levels. While both levels have access to the printable book lists for this challenge, our Inner Circle members also receive the Book Lover’s Challenge book lists a week earlier than other readers each month (on the 2nd Friday of the prior month instead of the 3rd Friday).

ipad with graphic reading Become a Member today and a printed booklist


Visit our Buy Me a Coffee membership page for a full list of benefits for each level. Our BMAC members help cover the cost of running the challenges so we can keep them free for everyone!

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