Audiobook Favourites from the Better Reading Team

Audiobook Favourites from the Better Reading Team

For anyone yet to discover the pleasure of reading on the go, audiobooks are booming, as is the narration industry. While great audio reads have been around for years – think Stephen Fry – it’s only recently that audiobooks have really been established as another performance platform.

In 2019, Boy Swallows Universe won Audiobook of the Year at the ABIA Awards. Author Trent Dalton accepted the award and raved about how it was read by one of his favourite actors, Stig Wemyss. This was a pivotal moment in the industry, as audiobooks moved from being read to performed.

The 2023 winner of the same award was The Whitewash by Siang Lu, narrated by a whole cast of actors. Another bestseller with a big cast is Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. This is audio at its most entertaining and immersive; it will wrap you up in its music and vibrancy from the first minute.

Read on for some personal favourites from the Better Reading team…

Cheryl
Michelle Obama’s reading of her memoir Becoming is so personal that Cheryl felt it was recorded just for her. She felt the same about Walking with Ghosts, the stunningly evocative memoir by Irish actor and Hollywood star Gabriel Byrne. Apparently, Gabriel Byrne read his own book just for Cheryl too. Another favourite is Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork, To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s Cheryl’s favourite book, so she was thrilled when it made its digital debut as an unabridged audiobook narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek.

Jane
Jane listens to a lot of nonfiction in audio. Recent favourites are How to Deal with Angry People by Dr Ryan Martin, and Gigorou: First Nations Wisdom and Womanhood, read by author Sasha Kutabah Sarago. Another favourite listen for the year is Belinda Alexandra’s Emboldened. The narrator Caroline Lee does a brilliant job bringing Belinda’s wonderful memoir to life. One recent book on Jane’s fiction list was Homecoming, the latest from award-winning, internationally bestselling Australian author Kate Morton. It is read by powerhouse Emmy award-winning actress Claire Foy from The Crown, and is sensational.

Dexx
Dexx is enjoying catching up on some crime thrillers, with recent favourites Traced by Catherine Jinks and The Double Bind by Loraine Peck. Both have excellent voice actors who kept him transfixed on his commute to work.

Natalie
Anna Funder’s Wifedom is everywhere at the moment, including on Natalie’s audiobook playlist. She says the narration from Arianwen Parkes-Lockwood and Jane Slavin is outstanding. Another recent favourite is Academy Award winner Kate Winslet’s captivating narration of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book, Matilda.

Sophie
Our newest team member has both hardcopy and audio on the go. Her current commute listens are All in the Mind by Lynne Malcolm (which Jane also enjoyed), and The Drowning Girls by Veronica Lando, narrated by Dominic Gruenwald. He gives a pitch-perfect performance of this tense and gothic thriller.

Looking for your next great audiobook? Check out Bolinda Audio’s library app, Borrowbox – we love how easy it makes reading on the go!

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                      COMMENTS

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                      1. duck life says:

                        This is my top favourite list. I love hearing audio book when driving and running. That’s so great time.

                      2. Kelly says:

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                        This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who loves a good story. The characters are so well-developed and the pokedoku plot is so engaging that I couldn’t put it down.

                      4. Frank Jones says:

                        Thank you for sharing these great audiobook recommendations. I love to hear audiobooks. I believe that audiobooks can help to build listening skills and a better understanding of words or vocabulary. Anyway, Recently I checked another effective resource- https://setapp.com/how-to/how-to-transfer-mp3-to-iphone that provides the best ways to transfer MP3 to iPhone from Mac. This Setapp’s tutorial helped me to manage my audiobooks and other music files quickly. So I highly suggest the source for those who seeking such a guide to manage their audio files efficiently. Have a good day!

                      5. Adrienne Garcia says:

                        There is no doubt that this Better Reading lists the team’s favorite audiobooks, highlighting the joy and convenience of “reading on the go.” It covers a variety of genres and includes personal recommendations from team members, from Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” to crime thrillers and children’s classics. For those who enjoy the blend of technology and literature, the Tech Savvies Zone on Quora offers additional insights into how technology can enhance our reading and listening experiences. This can be a great resource for audiobook enthusiasts looking to integrate more tech into their reading habits. Have a good day!

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                      8. Michael Findley says:

                        Exploring audiobooks like ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ or ‘The Whitewash’ could make studying more dynamic and enjoyable. Cheap Assignment Help UK could be a lifesaver for those needing extra guidance with assignments!

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                        Audiobooks are becoming performance art, with star narrators elevating the experience just like how a great SoundBoard turns a moment into a memory. From crime thrillers to memoirs, immersive storytelling is trending. For top sound buttons or a meme soundboard, explore and download the latest hits at SoundBoardW.com sound board free and fun!

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                      14. Celestine says:

                        This is so helpful! I’m always looking for new audiobooks, and getting recommendations directly from a team of avid readers is fantastic. I’ve added a few of these to my ‘to listen’ list already. Any chance you’ll do a follow-up with more team picks? When you need to reduce stress, you can play drive mad game.

                      15. Jonetta says:

                        Yes! So glad to see some of my favorites on this list, like [mention a specific book if you remember from content]. The narrators really do make all the difference. This article totally gets why audiobooks are amazing for busy lives! By the way, try Ragdoll Archers for super fun archery gameplay when you want to relax!

                      16. Schuchman says:

                        Great choices! As an avid audiobook listener, I appreciate this diverse selection. I recently listened to [mention a general type of book, e.g., a historical fiction one] and was blown away by the production quality. For anyone new to audiobooks, definitely give these a try! By the way,When you need to reduce stress, you can play doodle baseball.

                      17. Chanelle says:

                        My commute just got a whole lot more interesting! My podcast list was getting stale, so this is perfect timing. Now, if only my boss would let me ‘read’ at my desk… 😉 Thanks for the awesome ideas! drift boss

                      18. Banicki says:

                        There’s something so comforting about listening to a good story while doing chores or going for a walk. This list perfectly captures that cozy, immersive feeling. It reminds me why I fell in love with audiobooks in the first place. Thanks for the reminder! If you’re struggling with naming, why not try using Wheel of Names?

                      19. retro bowl says:

                        Great list! I love how each team member’s picks show the range of what audiobooks can offer—from heartfelt memoirs like Becoming to thrilling crime like Traced. It really shows there’s something for everyone, whether you’re after inspiration, suspense, or just great storytelling on the go.

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                      20. Kairo Burke says:

                        This is brilliant! Audiobooks are my go-to for walks and chores. It’s fascinating how we’re always learning, whether through a captivating story or when we need to research important topics for personal understanding, like a Borderline Personality Disorder Test.

                      21. Kairo Burke says:

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                      23. Christine John says:

                        “I really enjoyed this list of audiobook favourites! It’s fascinating how different stories can inspire new ideas, especially when exploring project management research topics in our daily work.”

                      24. hopt says:

                        Audiobooks really do turn commutes and chores into story time, and this list shows how much the narrator’s performance matters as much as the book itself. When I need a different kind of mental break, I’ll switch to a browser-based word puzzle like “Free unlimited word puzzle game – 300 puzzles, no signup needed

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                      27. Audiobooks = pure joy—like Pac-Man chasing dots: simple, satisfying, addictive! 🎧✨ For more fun, check out [i love pacman]( https://sprunkiplay.org/)

                      28. Audiobooks are exploding—not just as reads, but *performances*. From Sissy Spacek’s *To Kill a Mockingbird* to Claire Foy’s *Homecoming*, voice artistry transforms stories. Love immersive audio? So do we—and if you dig playful, nostalgic energy, check out [i love pacman](https://sprunkiplay.org/). 🎧✨

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                        Audiobooks truly transform the storytelling experience, especially when a talented narrator brings the characters to life in such an immersive way. It is fascinating to see how this medium has evolved from a niche alternative into a leading performance art form in its own right. If you want a quick mental challenge to balance out all that listening, you might enjoy the ZooBlocks Game during your next commute.

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                      33. Seedance 2.0 AI Video says:

                        I have always found that a talented narrator can completely transform the experience of a book, sometimes even surpassing the impact of reading it in print. It is exciting to see audiobooks finally receiving the recognition they deserve as a legitimate artistic medium. I’m definitely adding a few of these recommendations to my listening queue for my next long commute.

                      34. Naomi Chen says:

                        I’ve been meaning to get into audiobooks more, especially now that they’re being recognized like ‘Boy Swallows Universe’ winning awards. It’s cool how narration is becoming a performance platform of its own! Speaking of needing to present well, I’ve been using HeadshotBook to update my professional profile pics. It’s so much easier (and cheaper!) than scheduling a photoshoot.

                      35. I’m really getting into audiobooks lately, especially for long commutes. It’s great to see them getting the recognition they deserve! On another note, I’ve been using avifkit for converting some of my images and it’s been a lifesaver. Finding tools like that really help with making things more accessible.

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                      37. Daisy Jones is top tier purely because of the full cast, it makes such a difference compared to a single narrator droning on. Honestly don’t think I can go back to regular audiobooks after listening to that one.

                      38. shiwdmeng says:

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                      39. That moment you mention about Boy Swallows Universe winning Audiobook of the Year really struck me—it captures how narration has become a true performance art, not just reading aloud.

                      40. ArrowsGo says:

                        Love this roundup! It’s incredible how much the narration industry has grown since the days of Stephen Fry. I’ve been relying heavily on audiobooks during my morning commute, and I find the performance aspect makes the story much more immersive. Occasionally, when I need a shorter mental break from screens, I play a quick session of arrows go game to reset. It’s always fun to find new ways to balance listening and gaming during downtime. Have you found any narrators who completely elevate a book for you?

                      41. PixelBeads says:

                        This list is fantastic! I’ve recently gotten more into audiobooks myself, especially during long crafting sessions. There’s something about the narrator’s performance that really brings the story to life, much like how I enjoy adding unique expressions to my beadwork. Just finished a project using the Distorted Face Pixel Beads tool to plan out some quirky emojis, and listening to a gripping tale while working made the time fly even more. It’s cool to see the industry grow beyond just Stephen Fry’s era. Do you have any recommendations for mystery genres that work well for background listening? Thanks for sharing these picks!