Disclosure: Some of the links in this list for books better on audio are affiliate links. If you click them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. The decision of whether or not to buy something is completely up to you.
As much as bookworms love to take in words with their eyes, sometimes listening to the story is better. It brings back the nostalgia of being read to as a child and keeps up the oral tradition of storytelling. Here are five books better on audio with great narrators.
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Hawkins’s best-selling mystery thriller is narrated by Clare Corbett, Louise Brealey and India Fisher. Mysteries make the best audiobooks. They’re written with a creepy atmosphere that evokes images of sitting around a campfire telling tales. Corbett’s, Brealey’s and Fisher’s voice acting give each of the main characters a distinct voice. The listener always knows who is talking.
World War Z by Max Brooks
This creative exploration of the zombie apocalypse is told through a series of interviews with survivors. It features a full cast in audio form, including Simon Pegg and Mark Hamill. Its style makes it among the books better on audio because its format takes on a documentary quality. It’s made for voice actors.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
Christian Coulson’s narration brings the main character’s voice – Henry “Monty” Montague – to life in the most delightful way. He brings Monty’s sarcasm and wit to the forefront in a way that reading the words on the page does not suffice. Readers will get caught up in the queer romance as well with Coulson’s dulcet tones.
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Another star-studded voice cast, Saunders’s moving tale includes the likes of Lena Dunham, Nick Offerman, David Sedaris and Julian Moore, among others. The full-cast narration brings to life historical figures and fictional characters alike to create a rich story made for listening.
Dreams of My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama
Memoirs make for books better on audio, especially when narrated by the authors themselves. Regardless of politics, many have agreed that former President Obama’s voice commands an audience. Those who heard him speak couldn’t help but listen. The same holds true for his memoir as he reads from his writings on race and family.
If you don’t quite like audiobooks, that’s ok! You can still pick up a copy of these great books here.