
Top 10 Audiobooks You Should Listen to in 2025: A Personal Guide to Unforgettable Stories
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you are a person like me, then it is highly likely that you find it difficult to sit with a good book for enough hours a day. With work, errands, and day-to-day life, reading feels like a luxury that I sometimes cannot afford. That’s when the audiobooks entered my life which have completely transformed the situation. Instead of looking at my phone while commuting, or my mind wandering while folding laundry I have now entire worlds, love stories and amazing adventures in my ears.
In this post, I am therefore pleased to share my personal overview of the Top 10 audiobooks that are truly best among those which I have heard this year. Some of them are timeless pieces of art that were turned into fascinatingly narrated stories, while others are the latest issues that I was absorbed by from the very first chapter. At the end of the post, I hope you will find at least 1 (if not the entire 10!) audiobook that will become your next favorite.
1. Funny Story by Emily Henry
Let me start with a book that has been in constant play on my audio: Funny Story by Emily Henry. Henry is magical in mixing humor, love, and authenticity together, and this audiobook is just doing that. The narrator’s playful tone makes the characters seem to be existing, and I was laughing out loud during my walks in the park several times. If you have read Henry’s previous works, then comparing this with her writing is like catching up with a witty friend who is always full of the best stories.
2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
You may get surprised to see a classic item like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice on this list but allow me to state: audiobooks revitalize classics. The storyteller’s voice is so joyful that even Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy’s quick-witted dialogues become more delightful. I have already read the book, but hearing it recited felt like a new experience. If you have always wanted to attack the classics without the stress, this is one of the best starting points.
3. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
I doubt that there are many authors who could appeal to my emotions as Kristin Hannah can. The Four Winds is an exceptional tale of the Aboriginal people’s strength that takes place in the Dust Bowl Era. The experience of listening to this audiobook took me to the place and time where I could feel the windstorms and the characters’ burden of struggle. It is a bittersweet story but also uplifting, and the narrator brings out the resolve needed for the story. I think about this one even when the last page has been turned for a long time.
4. The Wedding People by Alison Espach
At times, I feel like I want to have an easier listen, and Alison Espach’s The Wedding People was exactly the experience I needed. The audiobook has the feel of a pop-in invitation to the eccentric, awkward, and surprisingly profound profession of wedding communities’ realities. Writing by Espach is brilliantly funny and the narrator does a good job of adding to the overall allure. If you are looking for a fun escape, this is the one you should play.
5. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett has never failed me, and Tom Lake is a great example of her storytelling skills. The novel stitches the threads of the past and present in a very delicate way, examining subjects such as love, family, and the choices that define us. The voice of the audiobook provides an extra warming and depth—I felt as if I was on a personal level. It’s introspective, kind, and very relatable. The slower pace but a fruitful listen that made me reflect on my own journey.
6. Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
Abby Jimenez is on her way to become one of my trusted authors for heartwarming stories, and Just for the Summer was also amazing. The audiobook is the best combination of fun love story and deeper discussions. What I enjoyed the most was that the characters’ authenticity made them feel like my own friends. The narration takes you to the sunny days of love when you would be smiling even after the story has ended.
7. James by Percival Everett
This book was a complete shocker for me and I truly am grateful I took the time to explore it. James by Percival Everett is based on Adventures of Huckleberry Finn but reinvented with a fresh viewpoint. Listening to it as an audiobook was a tearful experience—the narration has enormous weight and intensity, which made the story gripping. It is thought-provoking, daring, and absolutely unforgettable. This is where an audiobook is found to challenge perspective while being a masterful storyteller.
8. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
I am a sucker for mystery and suspense, and Chris Whitaker’s All the Colors of the Dark was just right for me. This audiobook is a strange mixture of thriller with emotional drama and it has results I did not expect. The narrator’s performance increased the suspense to the level that I sat in my car for a few moments after parking it—not to hear the next chapter. It is elating, dark, and well-crafted.
9. Lights Out by Navessa Allen
This was an unexpected find for me, happy I gave it a shot. Lights Out by Navessa Allen combines the speculative story with a deeply emotional plot. The book got to me right off with its atmosphere and intensity. Sometimes you come across a story that feels stylish and different—this was one of them. If you are interested in stories that challenge tradition and make you think you will love it.
10. The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros
Lastly, the last on the list but definitely not the least is The Things We Leave Unfinished by Rebecca Yarros. Wow, this was one hell of an emotional ride! I walked into this knowing that Yarros writes with such vigor, but the audiobook added a whole new dimension. The actors delivered so much emotion through the characters that I almost felt as if I was one of them and also in love with them. It is emotional, romantic, and one of those experiences that one carries in their heart long after the words are finished.
A Journey with Audiobooks
Looking through the above list of the best 10 audiobooks, it occurs to me that what really makes them stand out is not just the stories themselves, but also the way they are told. A good storyteller can turn a good book into an unforgettable experience. They encompass emotions, rhythms, and personalities that you just can’t have when you speed read the pages by yourself.
For me, audiobooks have acted as my medium of returning back to my reading passion. They swapped traffic jams for a mini book club, and tedious chores for adventurers’ duty, and sleepless nights turned into an opportunity to read a good book.
Final Remarks: Where to Find Your Next Listen
If you are thinking about starting with the audiobooks, then I think that you will find my list of the Top 10 audiobooks of 2025 very practical. There is something for everyone here whether you are in the mood for romance, suspense, historical fiction, or modern classics.
At the end of the day, the best audiobook is the one which makes you want to continue listening, irrespective of what you might be doing. Plug in the headphones, press play, and embark on a journey—who knows, you might just find a new way of experiencing storytelling that you love.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Looking for your next great listen? 🎧
Discover thousands of audiobooks and originals with Audible.