Presenting our Audiobook of the Year, plus an obsessively curated selection of editor and listener favourites–each one boasting a standout, not-to-be-missed performance–to help you find your next great listen.
Presenting our Audiobook of the Year, plus an obsessively curated selection of editor and listener favourites–each one boasting a standout, not-to-be-missed performance–to help you find your next great listen.
Audiobook of the Year
Audiobook of the Year
Arundhati Roy
As the first memoir from Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy, what more could you want? Mother Mary Comes to Me is just as moving and inspiring as her novels and other works of non-fiction, while being infused with the raw emotional weight that makes memoirs so special in audio. We get to hear firsthand, in her own superb narration, the experiences that made Roy the woman and writer she is today, from her training as an architect to larger reflections on family, writing, and love. Born out of the complex memories and emotions surrounding her mother’s death, Roy’s memoir has proven itself the most emotional and impactful audiobook of the year.
As the first memoir from Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy, what more could you want? Mother Mary Comes to Me is just as moving and inspiring as her novels and other works of non-fiction, while being infused with the raw emotional weight that makes memoirs so special in audio. We get to hear firsthand, in her own superb narration, the experiences that made Roy the woman and writer she is today, from her training as an architect to larger reflections on family, writing, and love. Born out of the complex memories and emotions surrounding her mother’s death, Roy’s memoir has proven itself the most emotional and impactful audiobook of the year.
Our Top 20
Our Top 20
Jane Austen
This immersive multicast dramatisation is set to become your repeat comfort listen. The chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth—voiced by Harris Dickinson and Marisa Abela—is off-the-charts. Also featuring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Bill Nighy, and Glenn Close, the all-star cast rivals any other Jane Austen adaptation.
This immersive multicast dramatisation is set to become your repeat comfort listen. The chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth—voiced by Harris Dickinson and Marisa Abela—is off-the-charts. Also featuring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Bill Nighy, and Glenn Close, the all-star cast rivals any other Jane Austen adaptation.
Ian McEwan
The year is 2119. Climate change and nuclear disaster have dramatically altered the world. Tom is a scholar obsessed with a lost poem from 2014. David Rintoul and Rachel Bavidge’s performances submerge you into this story, driving two propulsive timelines and a central mystery that reveals itself slowly to the listener.
The year is 2119. Climate change and nuclear disaster have dramatically altered the world. Tom is a scholar obsessed with a lost poem from 2014. David Rintoul and Rachel Bavidge’s performances submerge you into this story, driving two propulsive timelines and a central mystery that reveals itself slowly to the listener.
Sir David Attenborough, Colin Butfield
Sir David Attenborough brings nearly a century worth of personal insights to this vivid examination of climate change's impact on marine life. Showcasing the broadcaster’s iconic voice alongside Colin Butfield’s equally engaging narration, this listen is a significant addition to the repertoire of a true audio legend.
Sir David Attenborough brings nearly a century worth of personal insights to this vivid examination of climate change's impact on marine life. Showcasing the broadcaster’s iconic voice alongside Colin Butfield’s equally engaging narration, this listen is a significant addition to the repertoire of a true audio legend.
Florence Knapp
This stunning debut novel from Florence Knapp explores how something as simple as a name can define our identities and change the trajectory of our lives. Narrator Dervla Kirwan’s performance, featuring a range of accents, adds further depth to a story already brimming with emotion, heartbreak, and love.
This stunning debut novel from Florence Knapp explores how something as simple as a name can define our identities and change the trajectory of our lives. Narrator Dervla Kirwan’s performance, featuring a range of accents, adds further depth to a story already brimming with emotion, heartbreak, and love.
J.K. Rowling
The beloved stories that have enchanted a generation, brilliantly presented in a way that delights die-hard fans and new audiences alike. This captivating production features hundreds of unique voices, immersive sound design, and an all-star cast that bring the wizarding world vividly to life in Dolby Atmos.
The beloved stories that have enchanted a generation, brilliantly presented in a way that delights die-hard fans and new audiences alike. This captivating production features hundreds of unique voices, immersive sound design, and an all-star cast that bring the wizarding world vividly to life in Dolby Atmos.
Ruth Jones, James Corden
Gavin & Stacey fans are in for a treat. Ruth Jones and James Corden’s audiobook is an ode to friendship, enlivened with clips from the show, readings from emails with friends and producers, and plenty of in-character impersonations. The love between these two is just so palpable, we feel privileged to listen in.
Gavin & Stacey fans are in for a treat. Ruth Jones and James Corden’s audiobook is an ode to friendship, enlivened with clips from the show, readings from emails with friends and producers, and plenty of in-character impersonations. The love between these two is just so palpable, we feel privileged to listen in.
Nussaibah Younis
Fundamentally immerses listeners in the knotty world of international aid through the eyes of an academic working with the UN in Iraq. It’s poignant and thought-provoking, satirising serious themes with a humour that still respects the weight of the subject. Deftly performed by Sarah Slimani, this is a wild ride you won't regret taking.
Fundamentally immerses listeners in the knotty world of international aid through the eyes of an academic working with the UN in Iraq. It’s poignant and thought-provoking, satirising serious themes with a humour that still respects the weight of the subject. Deftly performed by Sarah Slimani, this is a wild ride you won't regret taking.
JD Kirk
In a world where our mannerisms, words, and personality can be so easily duplicated, is dead really dead? That’s the question this timely thriller wrestles with. The tension builds masterfully, thanks in no small part to Louise Brealey and David Tennant's performances. Unpredictable and unputdownable, Him is exactly what you want in a psychological thriller.
In a world where our mannerisms, words, and personality can be so easily duplicated, is dead really dead? That’s the question this timely thriller wrestles with. The tension builds masterfully, thanks in no small part to Louise Brealey and David Tennant's performances. Unpredictable and unputdownable, Him is exactly what you want in a psychological thriller.
Keith McNally
Iconic restaurateur Keith McNally confronts his past with brutal honesty, including his marriage troubles and 2016 stroke. It’s a multicourse meal of a listen about a fascinating, creative life, mostly well-lived, even if the author doesn’t think so. Richard E. Grant provides pitch-perfect narration.
Iconic restaurateur Keith McNally confronts his past with brutal honesty, including his marriage troubles and 2016 stroke. It’s a multicourse meal of a listen about a fascinating, creative life, mostly well-lived, even if the author doesn’t think so. Richard E. Grant provides pitch-perfect narration.
qntm
This fascinating novel portrays a world full of "antimemes"—entities that are impossible to remember—the more nefarious of which are devouring teams of scientists. The story, moving back and forth in time and peppered with classified documents, makes for a rich audio experience, helmed by Rebecca Calder's exquisite narration.
This fascinating novel portrays a world full of "antimemes"—entities that are impossible to remember—the more nefarious of which are devouring teams of scientists. The story, moving back and forth in time and peppered with classified documents, makes for a rich audio experience, helmed by Rebecca Calder's exquisite narration.
Adam Buxton
Adam Buxton delves into the days of The Adam & Joe Show, sharing crazy anecdotes from his years in the comedy business. He also gets real about the challenges of parenting and the experience of losing his mother, delivering lots of heartwarming moments and, of course, no shortage of laughs.
Adam Buxton delves into the days of The Adam & Joe Show, sharing crazy anecdotes from his years in the comedy business. He also gets real about the challenges of parenting and the experience of losing his mother, delivering lots of heartwarming moments and, of course, no shortage of laughs.
Sarah A. Denzil
Secret Sister is a tense, emotional ride through lost memories, family secrets, and the feeling of slowly losing control of your own life. The stellar cast, led by Jessica Gunning, absolutely nails it. Perfect for anyone who loves unreliable narrators with a side of what-the-heck-is-happening.
Secret Sister is a tense, emotional ride through lost memories, family secrets, and the feeling of slowly losing control of your own life. The stellar cast, led by Jessica Gunning, absolutely nails it. Perfect for anyone who loves unreliable narrators with a side of what-the-heck-is-happening.
Suzanne Collins
As politically sharp and utterly heartbreaking as the rest of the Hunger Games series, this prequel reaffirms Suzanne Collins’s gift for dystopian world-building and complex character development. Jefferson White brings fan-favourite character Haymitch Abernathy to life with masterful narration that balances the optimism of youth with a wry edge.
As politically sharp and utterly heartbreaking as the rest of the Hunger Games series, this prequel reaffirms Suzanne Collins’s gift for dystopian world-building and complex character development. Jefferson White brings fan-favourite character Haymitch Abernathy to life with masterful narration that balances the optimism of youth with a wry edge.
Eliezer Yudkowsky, Nate Soares
Whether or not you agree with their breathtakingly unambiguous level of "p(doom)," AI experts Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares lay out a lucid, informed, and highly entertaining argument for extreme caution on the issue of our time: the existential threat of artificial superintelligence. Rafe Beckley’s performance is spot-on.
Whether or not you agree with their breathtakingly unambiguous level of "p(doom)," AI experts Eliezer Yudkowsky and Nate Soares lay out a lucid, informed, and highly entertaining argument for extreme caution on the issue of our time: the existential threat of artificial superintelligence. Rafe Beckley’s performance is spot-on.
Sophie Gilbert
Pulitzer-nominated journalist Sophie Gilbert takes a critical yet absorbing look at the paradox of ’90s feminism, in which pop culture objectified, sexualised, and infantilised women, then sold it back to them as "girl power." Gilbert’s compelling delivery and contemporary contextualisation make for a rousing listen.
Pulitzer-nominated journalist Sophie Gilbert takes a critical yet absorbing look at the paradox of ’90s feminism, in which pop culture objectified, sexualised, and infantilised women, then sold it back to them as "girl power." Gilbert’s compelling delivery and contemporary contextualisation make for a rousing listen.
Alan Partridge
It’s been 34 years since Steve Coogan debuted Alan Partridge on BBC Radio 4’s On the Hour, and Partridge continues to win over fans, now through a hit podcast. Series 4 delivers in every way you want it to, inviting listeners into Partridge’s real life as one of Norfolk’s most fascinating men.
It’s been 34 years since Steve Coogan debuted Alan Partridge on BBC Radio 4’s On the Hour, and Partridge continues to win over fans, now through a hit podcast. Series 4 delivers in every way you want it to, inviting listeners into Partridge’s real life as one of Norfolk’s most fascinating men.
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Set in 1980s Houston amid the first wave of women scientists and pilots in NASA’s space shuttle programme, Atmosphere won’t let you go once you’ve entered its orbit. Julia Whelan and Kristen DiMercurio deliver deeply moving performances, enriching this high-stakes love story brimming with nostalgia and hope.
Set in 1980s Houston amid the first wave of women scientists and pilots in NASA’s space shuttle programme, Atmosphere won’t let you go once you’ve entered its orbit. Julia Whelan and Kristen DiMercurio deliver deeply moving performances, enriching this high-stakes love story brimming with nostalgia and hope.
Mel Robbins
This is Mel Robbins’s best yet. Her signature blend of relatable anecdotes and actionable advice is enhanced by a newfound depth and tranquillity in her narration. Her fresh perspective on letting go is both enlightening and liberating, guiding listeners to tap into their internal approval systems. It's no wonder it has resonated with millions.
This is Mel Robbins’s best yet. Her signature blend of relatable anecdotes and actionable advice is enhanced by a newfound depth and tranquillity in her narration. Her fresh perspective on letting go is both enlightening and liberating, guiding listeners to tap into their internal approval systems. It's no wonder it has resonated with millions.
Fredrik Backman
Fredrik Backman crafts a touching dual-timeline story about four teenagers who find solace together on a forgotten pier. Their summer days become immortalised in a painting that changes a young woman’s life decades later. Narrator Marin Ireland beautifully renders these intertwined stories about friendship, transformation, and how art connects people across time.
Fredrik Backman crafts a touching dual-timeline story about four teenagers who find solace together on a forgotten pier. Their summer days become immortalised in a painting that changes a young woman’s life decades later. Narrator Marin Ireland beautifully renders these intertwined stories about friendship, transformation, and how art connects people across time.
Bolu Babalola
Fall in love with Kiki and Malakai all over again in this stunning follow-up to Bolu Babalola's beloved Honey & Spice. It's a joy to witness the former flames rediscover their passion in this emotional second-chance romance. Brilliantly narrated by Weruche Opia, Sweet Heat is a transcendent listen that delivers pure magic.
Fall in love with Kiki and Malakai all over again in this stunning follow-up to Bolu Babalola's beloved Honey & Spice. It's a joy to witness the former flames rediscover their passion in this emotional second-chance romance. Brilliantly narrated by Weruche Opia, Sweet Heat is a transcendent listen that delivers pure magic.
Browse our top picks in your favourite genres
Browse our top picks in your favourite genres
Explore more of the Best of 2025
Explore more of the Best of 2025
Our favourite interviews and podcasts, plus staff picks.
A note from your editors
A note from your editors
We get to spend the whole year listening and offering up recommendations; it's a fun and never-ending gig that we're so grateful to call ours. But aligning on the Best of the Year? That really challenges our hearts and our headphones. As editors, we immerse ourselves in all genres and styles—nothing is off the table. And, of course, we look to you, our passionate listeners, to see what you've been loving most. Then, we come together for our favourite tradition: gathering as a team for heated debate and heartfelt advocacy, culminating in an obsessively curated audio-first list full of amazing storytelling and performances.
Cheers to the Best of 2025!
The perfect personalised gift
The perfect personalised gift
This season, give them an Audible membership or a title they'll love.