The spirited (but friendly) debate over these titles could have gone on indefinitely. With years of listening, countless customer reviews, and a catalog of seemingly infinite great listens, 100 suddenly felt like a very small number. What we know for sure—each title that made it to this collection is elevated and made special in some way by audio, whether by a layered performance from a single narrator, a brilliantly cohesive full cast, original music, or immersive sound effects. They’re our go-to recommendations to new and old listeners alike, the highlights of our libraries. Many transcend their categories, appealing to listeners who may not have even considered dabbling in genres outside their usual favorites. Most have stood the test of time, while some are newer arrivals that have already signaled their enduring potential.
This list looks much different than it did even five years ago, thanks to innovative new audio styles and formats—from Originals to podcasts to live performances. And it might not look the same five years from now, as audio storytelling continues to grow and flourish. Our listeners’ and editors’ favorites are ever-evolving as we discover exciting new productions, listen to previously under-heard voices, and explore new perspectives and methods of approaching those stories. What we can say right now—we stand by these 100 titles as potential cornerstones of anyone’s listening life.
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Explore the 100 Audible Essentials
Andy Weir and narrator Ray Porter have created something truly special here, the kind of fun, smart, immensely entertaining production that reminds us why we love listening.
Calling Colson Whitehead's inventive, Pulitzer Prize–winning novel "a listening experience" doesn't begin to do it justice, given the seismic performance of Bahni Turpin.
This award-winning series about a missing woman and her family’s fight for justice is anchored by unique storytelling, music, and a passionate host in star Erika Alexander.
Robin Miles's impeccable performance takes center stage in this true story about three Black women who helped propel NASA's place in the Space Race.
Claire Danes's performance of Margaret Atwood's modern classic is equal parts brutal and breathtaking. And don't miss this version's extended audio-only conclusion.
Music producer Maejor explores the relationship between sound and wellness. Each episode dives into a different healing frequency to create an audio experience like no other.
Fresh, shocking, and just so cool, this production featuring UK darlings Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn will have you reconsidering everything you know about Miss Austen's classic.
Khaled Hosseini’s profoundly beautiful novel soars to new heights, as his heartfelt narration brings the tones, inflections, and sentimentality of Afghani storytelling to life.
Imbued with the golden warmth of Perdita Weeks's voice, Madeline Miller's rich, remarkably human depiction of Circe rivals the deepest of literature’s great characters.
Isaacson's epic biography, captivatingly narrated by Dylan Baker, is not only the story of an American icon but a lesson on how one's creativity and ambition can change the world.
Hear the inspirational story of Malala Yousafzai, a young Pakistani girl who stood up against the Taliban to advocate for her right to an education.
Expanding the realm of audio entertainment, Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs make dreams come true with this immersive full-cast adaptation of Gaiman's beloved graphic novels.
Joe Morton’s performance matches the lyricism and improvisation of Ralph Ellison’s words. Invisible Man is a paradox—a story about isolation that inspires unity.
Susanna Clarke's spellbinding story, made all the more mesmerizing by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s exquisite performance, is the labyrinthine listen we never wanted to end.
Sissy Spacek’s clear-as-a-bell Southern lilt immediately places you in young Scout Finch’s world, primed and ready for Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize–winning story of honor and injustice.
Kirby Heyborne and Julia Whelan slay to perfection as the ultimate unreliable narrators, Nick and Amy, in Gillian Flynn’s oft-imitated, never-bested masterpiece of domestic disturbance.
Bahni Turpin narrates Angie Thomas’s searing and transformative debut, demonstrating the power of performance to bring new depth to a complex social issue.
Written and narrated by Dominican American poet and author Elizabeth Acevedo, The Poet X is a stunning, coming-of-age novel in verse about belonging.
This intimate memoir, voiced by the legendary Patti Smith herself, zooms in on not only her music career but her life philosophy as well.
Performed flawlessly by Polly Stone, Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale transports us to 1940s France with two sisters on very different wartime journeys.
This contemporary YA novel, elevated by three poignant performances, spans generations and continents as it explores the intertwining nature of pain and love in relationships.
This charming and entertaining Audible Original podcast is brought to life by Sesame Street favorites and a new voice on the street—audiophile Foley.
Reid’s talent for creating compelling characters shines in this first novel in her quartet on fame, with three beautiful performances from Alma Cuervo, Robin Miles, and Julia Whelan.
This Audible Original about creating magic from music was meant to be heard, and Khoury’s supernatural series—performed by Suzy Jackson—will leave you spellbound.
Cara Bastone's laugh-out-loud rom-com about a romance that sparks from a customer service call is cleverly told through phone conversations, text messages, and online chats.
The best-known and most-beloved romance of all time, performed by Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike. Need we explain why we ardently love it?
Narrator Shayna Small perfectly balances the distinct personalities of identical twin sisters who choose to live in two very different worlds—one Black and one white.
Follow Daunis as she tracks down the source of a lethal new drug in her Ojibwe community, narrated with heart and authenticity by Isabella Star LaBlanc.
Sara Powell's range of British and West African accents makes this story about a British woman’s search for her long-lost father a beautifully immersive listen.
Backed by a full cast of vocal talent, Dawnie Walton’s debut novel exploring the 1970s New York music scene is an electrifying listen.
Told through interviews, intercepted transmissions, and security footage, this stellar production about two teens surviving a planetary invasion will keep you glued to your headphones.
Aiden Thomas and Avi Roque make for an electric author-narrator pairing in this story about a trans boy who fights to become a ghost-summoning brujo.
A remarkable time-traveling journey between lovers is made even more remarkable by Davina Porter’s authentic Scottish burr and delightful British accent.
Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the films, brings his incredible talent and astounding vocal range to Tolkien’s classic adventure.
Iconic pairing Amanda Ronconi and Molly Harper join up with Jonathan Davis in this charming series about a town of magical creatures in the Louisiana bayou.
Patrick Radden Keefe’s portrait of a fortune built on opioids has it all—a riveting story and ambitious journalism in the pursuit of justice, impeccably narrated by the author.
This effervescent love story between the president’s son and the Prince of Wales immediately captured our hearts and remains one of our favorite romances ever.
Amor Towles's masterful story is illuminated by an unbeatable trio of mesmerizing voices who you'll want to take on the road with you.
Performed by the one and only Lin-Manuel Miranda, this coming-of-age tale tackles issues of identity, masculinity, injustice, and learning how to love yourself as you are.
Before You was must-watch TV, Santino Fontana stole our hearts and made us lock our doors as antihero Joe Goldberg in what remains one of the best character performances we've ever heard.
This transportive documentary brings an immersive soundscape—seagulls, accents, and all—and acclaimed reporting to a brutal unsolved murder sowing suspicion in a remote Irish town.
Stephen King and Steven Weber join forces to create an unparalleled listening experience in this sweeping modern-classic horror story.
The Hunger Games became a cultural phenomenon all on its own, but Tatiana Maslany's sensational performance elevates this listening experience to new heights.
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With Tim Curry at the helm, Audible's dramatic edition of Dracula won two Audie Awards for its distinguished multicast performance in 2013. A decade later, it remains one of our favorite Audible performances.
Mark Greaney's fast-paced Gray Man series—now a film starring Ryan Gosling—upended the military-thriller genre, thanks in part to Jay Snyder’s electrifying narration.
Celeste Ng's unpauseable novel, which inspired a hit TV show, delves into family dynamics, motherhood, identity—and secrets—through the lives of two suburban Ohio families.
Performed as a series of phone calls by a full cast, Madhuri Shekar's Dolby Atmos-recorded play is an immersive thriller that explores intergenerational trauma and obsession.
This classic novel by Zora Neale Hurston (with a vibrantly melodic performance by Ruby Dee) follows Janie Crawford's journey of love, identity, and self-discovery.
In this fully formed, cleverly framed, and utterly brilliant memoir, Alan Cumming's voice is perfection (with a Scottish accent). Listening to him tell his own story is the definition of essential.
Who else but Ray Porter could evoke geeky irony during a suspenseful battle scene, all while assigning unique voices and personalities to a pack of clones?
The full cast of this post-apocalyptic audiodrama makes the fear palpable as the chilling, otherworldly sound design sucks you in. Listening in the dark highly recommended.
Adapting a beloved franchise to audiodrama is no small feat, but Dirk Maggs delivers. The full-cast performance is captivating to new and old fans alike.
This American classic, voiced by Emmy winner Bryan Cranston, provides listeners with an intimate look at the lives of soldiers in the Vietnam War.
Ove is the ultimate lovable curmudgeon, whose story is a must-listen for anyone with a heart. Performed with the perfect amount of gruff by J. K. Simmons.
When you fall this hard for characters who go through so much pain and anguish, you need a voice like Oliver Wyman to carry you through.
Narrator Marin Ireland is fire—the perfect voice for this quirky, heartfelt story that will make you spontaneously combust in joy.
This Audie Award–winning production features a cast of more than 100 performers to tell this achingly human story of ghosts, grief, and Abraham Lincoln.
Scott Brick’s cool and unnerving narration of this sci-fi classic will get into your head, under your skin, and may even percolate into your dreams.
Katherine Kellgren brings this quintessential cozy mystery into the realm of “great feats of the human voice.” You’ll swear it’s a multicast, but it’s all Katherine, and it’s delightful.
Performed by a brilliant full cast and with immersive sound design, this deep-space adventure is like no sci-fi listen we've heard before. It's at turns heartfelt, haunting, and hopeful.
Known as the "world's bestselling mystery," this is Christie at her very best. It's the whodunit of whodunits. Dan Stevens's narration is spot on.
The incomparably hilarious JB Smoove narrates this docuseries on six influential Black American comedians who took the craft to new heights.
Actor, writer, and comedian Stephen Fry brings his signature sense of humor and charm to these retellings of ancient Greek mythology.
This recollection of a childhood marred by alcoholism and poverty never sacrifices humor or heart, soaring instead on the author’s lilting brogue and genial delivery.
This unflinching look at one of America’s greatest civil rights leaders is illuminated by a masterful performance from screen legend Laurence Fishburne.
Wielding a poet’s radiant intonation, the legendary Maya Angelou recounts the story of her life, crafting a dazzling portrait of triumph over adversity.
The anguish, fear, and frustration in Coates’s voice is palpable throughout this epistolary memoir on Black identity in America, making for a resonant listening experience.
More than two decades on, the late Anthony Bourdain’s tell-all remains the chef memoir to beat. His inimitable voice is the definition of “meant to be heard.”
This spellbinding tale of courage and friendship with a head-turning puzzle at its heart unfolds bit by bit across the two halves of a beautifully dual-narrated story. Pro tip—have tissues handy.
The king of personal essays narrates some of his most raw and darkly humorous material to date, complete with his signature wry wit.
Truman Capote birthed a genre with his true crime masterpiece about a rural Kansas murder. Hall of Fame narrator Scott Brick’s recording is equally timeless and chilling.
Nelson Mandela and Richard Stengel formed a special friendship while working on Mandela's memoir. It's an intimate thought-provoking peek into history.
Narrator Vikas Adam’s performance will leave you lost in the same sense of wonder and fear as experienced by the teenage boy in this tale of adventure and survival.
If only all history went down this easy—Yuval Noah Harari’s ultra-engaging encapsulation of the human story gets an extra punch from Derek Perkins’s smooth narration.
The former first lady shares her life with great warmth and truth, tracing her inspirational journey from the South Side of Chicago to the White House.
In a love story for the ages, actor Tembi Locke lovingly recalls her marriage to an Italian chef and her path toward healing after his death.
Narrated by Kevin Hart and featuring candid interviews with other Philadelphia natives, this listen marks the first attempt to connect two unprecedented historical events in Philly.
Performed by a full cast, this community-driven initiative about America's legacy of slavery has been one of the most consequential journalistic events of recent years.
Edward Herrmann brings a remarkable true tale of dedication and camaraderie to life, diving into this once little-known act of resistance against fascist Germany pre-WWII.
Author Conor Grennan—self-deprecating and totally charming—is the only person who could narrate this remarkable true story that has the pull of the very best fiction.
The most renowned cellist of our modern era brings listeners in close for this contemplative and honest memoir, sharing his wisdom and experience.
Facing terminal cancer, Paul Kalanithi explores how to live in the moment in this moving memoir, expertly performed by Sunil Malhotra and Cassandra Campbell.
Beautiful, raw, complex, and simmering with both rage and love, Graham Greene's classic is taken to new heights by Colin Firth, who fully embodies Bendrix’s immense pain and longing.
Tackling issues of science, ethics, and race, Cassandra Campbell and Bahni Turpin breathe life into the story of Henrietta Lacks and her family's fight for justice.
Sharon Washington's autobiographical off-Broadway show tells the captivating story of her experience as a young girl living in an apartment inside one of NYC's public libraries.
Brené Brown goes beyond her previous works to mine her personal biography, revealing new layers of vulnerability and the pursuit of wellness.
Chad Sanders explores the evolving relationships successful Black icons experience with wealth in this unique podcast, featuring guests Issa Rae, Gabrielle Union, and more.
With her soothing narration, bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert guides listeners to find inspiration in the world and live a more creative lifestyle.
Mel Robbins's science-backed approach to motivation takes five seconds—and has the power to change your life. Listen and learn how to stop procrastinating for good.
Jim Dale once held a Guinness World Record for the 134 unique voices he created in Order of the Phoenix. His award-winning performance of the whole famous series remains awe-inspiring.
The unrelenting rhythm of Beatty's writing, which is amplified by Prentice Onayemi's narration, will have you hooked within minutes of the prologue.
Kiese Laymon's performance, like his gorgeous lyrical writing, bares his heart and soul to the listener in this deeply personal memoir.
This 2016 memoir has an enduring allure and freshness. Trevor Noah knows his way around comedy, delivering a savvy, humorous take on everything—even apartheid's painful truths.
Narrator Kate Rudd brings teen cancer patient Hazel Grace to life with an authentic air of teenaged cynicism, exploring young love amid illness and death.
A star in every sense of the word, Viola Davis is a powerhouse of talent. No one could tell her extraordinary story like she tells it.
Narrator David Pittu creates a beautiful, familiar kinship with each of Tartt's characters, which resonates with the listener long after the final chapter.
Despite a dark storyline and content warning for violence, Carey Mulligan’s incredible performance makes this audio play one listeners love—and one we’ll never, ever forget.
Narrator Jake Gyllenhaal treats this American classic with the utmost respect, allowing the vivid descriptions of 1920s New York and undying love to flow at just the right pace.
Retired Navy SEAL Goggins inspired a global fan base with his powerful message of overcoming adversity and unlocking potential through resilience and discipline.
Douglas Adams’s wry, witty humor is right in the wheelhouse for narrator Stephen Fry, who nails one absurd gag after another with spot-on timing and impudence.
