Cast your mind back to your childhood for a minute or two.
The most magical moments spent enjoying the power of storytelling weren’t sat wide-eyed in front of the television, risking a mind-numbing headache due to the unholy presence of static. Rather, the most magical moments that transported us into other worlds and sent our imaginations soaring took place when certain tales were read to us, and eventually with us, at bedtime.
If you were lucky enough to have someone in your life with an almost mythical, booming, storytelling voice who read to you every night – we hope you realise just how rich and privileged your childhood truly was.
Sadly, not everyone was able to enjoy the magic of reading aloud way back when – perhaps unless you attended local reading sessions at the library during your youth, or were able to switch on the brilliant CBeebies Bedtime Stories before slumbering to the sounds of actors and presenters.
Nowadays, you needn’t be a child to enjoy the wondrous power of reading aloud. Since the invention of Audible back in 1995, the leading storytelling platform has only gone from strength to strength with narration becoming a huge part of the contemporary publishing process.
In the run-up to a new book hitting the shelves, its audio version is recorded and completed by either the author themselves or a brilliant guest reader and promoted as part of the rollout.
There’s nothing quite like listening to the autobiography of your favourite musician, actor, comedian, or any other public figure under the sun as told directly by them. What’s more, not everyone has the endless free time required to delve into classic series like The Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones.
Audiobook versions of science-fiction classics are often relayed by brilliant actors, allowing you to enjoy the rich detail of the literary original on your way to work, while washing the dishes, making the bed or enjoying a brisk winter walk.
Audible is a remarkably affordable subscription service, given the access you get to thousands of marvellous audiobooks. It’s £0.99 for the first three months, then £7.99 each month after.
With this lower-level subscription, you can listen to one book a month, or two for £14.99, 12 with an annual membership price of £69.99, or 24 with an annual membership price of £109.99. You can add more titles no matter which membership you choose – you’ll just have to pay extra for them.
We’ve curated a selection of the best audiobooks on the platform to delve into below. Keep scrolling to change the way you enjoy literature.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, narrated by Stephen Fry
For all of J.K Rowling’s controversies, the Harry Potter series remains the bestselling set of fantasy books of all time. We’re not sure we have to remind you of the plot – which follows a young boy who discovers that he is a wizard – but take this as a sign to finally start listening to the magical series as narrated by Stephen Fry.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
The Fellowship of the Ring - The Lord of the Rings, Book 1, narrated by Andy Serkis
Tolkein’s magnum opus – a masterclass in world-building and a series which continues to serve as an inimitable blueprint for the fantasy genre, The Fellowship of the Ring is the first in The Lord of the Rings series.
The Dark Lord Sauron has gathered all the Rings of Power which will allow him to rule Middle Earth with an iron fist– that is, all except one. Within the rolling hills of The Shire, a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins is thrust into an immense, world-changing task. Thanks to his elder cousin Bilbo, the final ring has been left in his care and must be destroyed. Onwards he must go on a perilous journey across Middle Earth to the Cracks of Doom to destroy the ring once and for all.
This wondrous audiobook is narrated by the actor who played Gollum in the original films, Andy Serkis.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
Norse Mythology, narrated by Neil Gaiman
A marvellously comprehensive compendium of Norse mythology from creation to Ragnarök, Gaiman serves as a wizard-like guide into the Viking world of ‘ole. Straddling fictional and non-fictional writing, Gaiman nevertheless manages to craft an entirely compelling yarn which reads like a novel.
This audiobook is brilliantly narrated by the author himself.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
I'm Glad My Mom Died, narrated by Jennette McCurdy
Catchy title, right? Don’t be alarmed by the shock-inspiring name that Jennette McCurdy gave this fantastic memoir. Writing about her extremely complicated relationship with her mother, extended family and her relationship to childhood stardom, Jennette weaves her way through struggles with self-image and interpersonal relationships with a maturity and wisdom far beyond her years.
Delving into her book will feel like an emotional crucible, but you’ll come out the other side feeling far less alone in this world – especially with the writer’s wry, witty and simply sensational narration.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
Pet Sematary, narrated by Michael C. Hall
A novel that King himself initially thought too disturbing to print, Pet Sematary is set in a small town in Maine. New to the area is young doctor Louis Creed, who has just moved from Chicago with his family into a seemingly perfect house in and amongst the pastoral, rolling hills of this supposedly safer state.
Behind the house away from the highway lays a clear path up into the woods where generations of children have buried beloved pets. Beyond the Pet Sematary, however, lies another burial ground which lures innocents with horrifying temptations.
The terrifying yarn is narrated by brilliant actor and master of the uncanny, Michael C. Hall –who you’ll know from his role as Dexter in the eponymous series, David Fisher in Six Feet Under, and so much more.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
Atomic Habits, narrated by James Clear
Say goodbye to bad habits with James Clear’s fantastic, bad habit-busting book. An expert in habit formation, Clear outlines practical strategies that gently guide you into learning how to form good habits and break the bad ones.
In Atomic Habits, Clear breaks down the nature of habit formations to provide a more realistic handbook for reaching your goals. If you’re looking for a simple, yet empathetic guide to becoming a better version of yourself this year, listen to the bestseller as narrated by the author now.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
The Thursday Murder Club, narrated by Lesley Manville, Richard Osman, Marian Keyes
A classic from the moment it was published in 2020, Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club is about a group of four septuagenarians who meet up every week to discuss murderous cold cases. Proving you don’t have to be young to get into the thick of mystifying investigations, Osman’s brilliant novel puts the unorthodox gang of retirees at the centre of a crime which takes place on their very doorstep.
The audiobook is narrated by the author himself, the brilliant British actress Lesley Manville of Sherwood, Phantom Thread and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris fame, as well as the Irish author Marian Keyes.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
My Name is Barbra, narrated by Barbra Streisand
If you’ve ever come across Barbra Streisand’s autobiography in your local bookstore, you’ll likely have been taken aback by just how huge it is. While it’s certainly no surprise that Streisand has a lot to say, it’s a rather intimidatingly large read.
The solution? Listening to the audiobook, as narrated by the iconic singer and actress herself. It features Barbra Streisand’s iconic music, interlaced with exclusive anecdotes for the My Name is Barbra audio edition.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
Project Hail Mary, narrated by Ray Porter
Project Hail Mary was an instant best-seller from the moment it was released in 2021. Written by the author of The Martian, the science-fiction story tells the tale of Ryland Grace, a high school science teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there.
It’s narrated by professional voice actor Ray Porter, who does a marvellous job of transporting listeners into a different solar system.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
The Sandman, narrated by Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Neil Gaiman, James McAvoy and more
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Gaiman’s iconic comic book series or haven’t heard of it until this very moment – we implore you to download this exclusive multi-narrated audiobook adaptation of the graphic delight.
Featuring A-list actors such as Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, McAvoy, Andy Serkis, Michael Sheen and so many more, the talented ensemble brings Gaiman’s terrifying world to life in a manner you’ll have never experienced before.
Buy now £0.99, Audible
