We’re self-confessed bibliophiles and we love reading whenever we get some spare time.
But we also enjoy a good audiobook – hearing a top actor or personality bringing the pages to life adds a new dimension to the experience.
Here are some of the most popular audiobooks on audible.com and audiobooks.com.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
It was a historical moment when Barak Obama was sworn in as the President of the United States and he made huge changes to the US during his eight-year term. By his side the whole way, Michelle redefined the role of the First Lady and established a legacy herself that was unprecedented. In Becoming, you can learn more about the life of the public figure and her journey towards creating an open and welcoming White House. It’s an inspirational journey.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson
There’s nothing quite like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, in fact, the author invented his own genre of journalism, gonzo, by autobiographically documenting his experiences on the job. This unique novel dives into the surreal and doesn’t distinguish between what is real and what is being imagined by the characters, who are on an American road trip to cover a racing event. It’s a wild ride.
Go Set A Watchmen By Harper Lee
This 2015 story was originally billed as a sequel to the Pulitzer Prize-wining To Kill A Mockingbird but it was actually written before Harper Lee’s debut novel. The book gives more background and insight into To Kill A Mockingbird’s protagonist Atticus Finch and gives the reader more depth to the background of the debut novel and it’s most enduring characters.
Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling
The story of this popular wizard is is never far away from best-read lists and what’s more, J.K Rowling’s spectacular stories are wonderfully read by Stephen Fry, who acts out each of the voices and brings new life to the pages that we’re already familiar with.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
This philosophical novel is complex and intriguing. Following a young Indian boy who finds himself on board a small boat for more than 200 days, with only a Bengal tiger for company, the reader is left to consider what is real and what is imaginary. It explores themes of growing through adversity and the value of the truth or preferring to accept a story you know may not be real.
Nineteen Eighty Four by George Orwell
If you’re a fan of Black Mirror and dystopian tales then you’ll recognise much in Orwell’s iconic novel. The reader joins a society where censorship is prevalent, the government is totalitarian and draconian, where compliance with the enigmatic leader Big Brother is the only option. Those who go against the regime, thought criminals, are persecuted, but can they start a revolution? The stakes are high.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Love gaming and 1980s pop culture references? This science fiction novel takes you into a virtual reality world called the Oasis where everyone has abandoned reality to live out their fantasies. When the creator dies, he launches a competition where the winner will assume control of the virtual world. Join Wade Watts and his fellow ‘gunters’ as they aim to stop an evil corporation from assuming control and destroying it forever.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
If you’re fascinated with biology, history, sociology and how humans came to be, this is the book for you. This in-depth exploration of the history of humankind, evolution and the historical circumstances that led to humans establishing themselves as the dominant species on Earth, is full of intriguing and thought provoking concepts and discussions that will leave you considering your own mortality, consciousness and contribution as part of the human race.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Want to escape with a fascinating piece of fiction? This fantasy novel, set in the tiny town of Wall, follows young Tristan Thorn who falls in love with a girl. With the aim of proving his love for her, he vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his partner by travelling over an ancient wall and into a dangerous and mysterious world that is beyond his wildest imagination.
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger
This cult novel has been a favourite for decades and it has proven the inspiration of countless novels, films and TV series since it was first published in 1951. The coming-of-age story follow seventeen year-old Holden Caulfield who’s trying to make sense of the world around him, becoming a man and finding his way in life, all told in a diary-like narrative.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
It’s been heralded as the pinnacle of the great American novel and has inspired a million badly executed parties. It’s the story of striving for the American dream, unrequited love, luxury and indulgence in the Great Depression, and is as striking and intriguing today as it was when it was first published in 1925. Enter a world of wild parties, extravagance, lies and deceit as Jay Gatsby aims to reunite himself with his one true love, Daisy.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Okay, you may have watched the TV series but we usually find that the book is better than the adaptation. Delve into this series of novels and you’ll enter a dystopian future where a totalitarian state has been established and society has changed, dramatically leaving women in an perilous position and living in fear of the ruling Republic of Gilead. The audiobook is even narrated by Elizabeth Moss, star of the TV show, so if you’re a fan it’s definitely worth a listen.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Don’t panic, if you’ve never read this iconic piece of science fiction then you can always listen to the audiobook. You can get swept away in the story with amazing BBC Radio edition of the novel complete with sound effects, voice acting and the same great story that’s been capturing imaginations since it was first published in 1979.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
It’s one of the most iconic works of fiction ever written and it’s been a favourite among readers since it was first published in 1937. With whole languages, worlds, histories and geographies create to tell the story, Lord of the Rings is a snapshot into a world created by J.R.R Tolkien and a legacy continued by his son Christopher Tolkien, that’s full of suspense, humour, intrigue and great storytelling.
This Is Going To Hurt by Adam Kay
These secret diaries have proven a real hit since being released in 2017. Junior doctor turned comedian Adam Kay tells stories of his experiences working in the NHS in the UK as a junior doctor and the harrowing, humourous and alarming experience he had during his six-year stint as a healthcare professional.
