10 Best Audiobooks in 2025 (Reviewed & Ranked)
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
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TL;DR:
The best audiobooks in 2025 are:
My Name is Barbra
Rednecks
Fourth Wing
…to mention a few. Read on to find out the full list and why they made the cut.
Love a book but can’t find the audiobook? With Speaktor, you can bring any text to life in audio form!
If you’ve noticed your podcast queue looking a little thin lately, 2025 might be the perfect year to swap in some audiobooks. With publishers investing in top-tier narrators, immersive sound design, and exclusive releases, listening has become just as engaging as reading (sometimes even more!).
Whether you’re in the mood for a celebrity-narrated memoir, an epic fantasy that carries you through long commutes, or a thriller that keeps you hooked until the last chapter, this year’s lineup of audiobooks has something for everyone.
How to pick the right audiobook for listening?
Not every audiobook works for every listener.
A memoir that feels inspiring on a calm morning might not hold your focus on a crowded train, and the 30-hour fantasy epic that’s perfect for a long road trip could feel impossible if you only listen in short bursts.
Picking the right audiobook comes down to matching the story, the voice, and the format to how you like to listen. Here are a few things to consider:
- Genre and energy fit: Fast-paced thrillers and mysteries are great for commutes or workouts, while memoirs and historical fiction work better when you can slow down and focus
- Narrator style: Always sample the audio before committing. A skilled narrator can add depth, humor, or tension that the text alone can’t deliver. On the flip side, a flat performance can make even the best writing hard to finish
- Length vs. listening time: If you listen in short windows, a 25-hour epic may feel like homework. For long stretches (road trips, work sessions), bigger titles can be deeply rewarding
- Production quality: Some modern audiobooks feel like audio dramas with multiple actors, soundscapes, and music. Others are clean, single-voice narrations. Think about which style keeps you most immersed
- Listening environment: Match the book to your setting. Light non-fiction or conversational memoirs pair well with multitasking, while complex world-building or layered narratives deserve your full attention
A little thought upfront makes every listen more enjoyable.
Best award-winning audiobooks in 2025
1. My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand (Autobiography/Memoir)
Narrator: Barbra Streisand | Duration: 48 hrs 15 mins
One of 2025’s most vaunted audiobooks, My Name Is Barbra finds Streisand narrating her own expansive 970‑page memoir, resulting in an intimate 48‑hour listening experience.
Her warm, Brooklyn‑tinged voice, spontaneous ad‑libs, and candid asides turn the memoir into a deeply personal journey through her early Broadway days, film triumphs, and relentless artistic drive.
Recognized with dual Audie Awards in 2025 (Audiobook of the Year and Best Autobiography/Memoir), the memoir shines as much for Streisand’s candid storytelling as for the authenticity in her delivery.
2. Rednecks by Taylor Brown (Literary fiction)
Narrator: Ramiz Monsef | Duration: 11 hrs 25 mins
Set against the backdrop of the West Virginia Mine Wars of the 1920s, Rednecks tells the story of ordinary miners rising up against powerful coal barons. Brown blends history and fiction to capture the violence, camaraderie, and grit of one of America’s largest labor uprisings.
Ramiz Monsef’s narration brings texture to the novel, shifting between accents and voices to distinguish miners, union leaders, and townspeople. His delivery keeps the tension alive while grounding the humanity of each character.
As one of 2025’s standout historical fiction audiobooks, Rednecks is ideal for listeners who enjoy richly detailed, slower-burn storytelling. It’s perfect for late-night listening or quieter hours when history can truly sink in.
3. The Women by Kristin Hannah (Historical fiction)
Narrator: Julia Whelan | Duration: 14 hrs 57 mins
In The Women, Kristin Hannah tells the powerful story of Frances “Frankie” McGrath, a young nursing student who leaves behind her sheltered life to serve in the Army Nurse Corps during the Vietnam War. The novel blends personal sacrifice, friendship, and resilience into an intimate yet sweeping narrative of war and its aftermath.
Julia Whelan delivers a nuanced performance that captures both the tenderness and the turmoil of Frankie’s journey. Her voice moves smoothly between characters while carrying the weight of their emotions, making the listening experience deeply immersive.
Winner of the 2025 Audie Award for Best Fiction Narrator, The Women is a moving listen that works best when you have the space to slow down and let the story fully settle with you.
Bonus listening: James by Percival Everett, narrated by Dominic Hoffman (historical fiction), Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me, written and narrated by Whoopi Goldberg (memoir)
Best fantasy and science fiction audiobooks in 2025
4. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Fantasy romance)
Narrators: Rebecca Soler, Teddy Hamilton | Duration: 20 hrs 43 mins
In Fourth Wing, Rebecca Yarros brings readers into Basgiath War College, where dragon-riding cadets compete for survival in a hierarchy as dangerous as the dragons themselves. Violet Sorrengail, lacking both strength and privilege, must defy expectations if she hopes to bond with a dragon and survive.
Rebecca Soler voices most of the narration with an energetic and emotionally rich performance, immediately capturing Violet’s vulnerability and determination. Teddy Hamilton steps in for special chapters, offering a contrasting male perspective that adds depth to key character arcs.
Highly celebrated on social media and a #1 New York Times bestseller, Fourth Wing blends fantasy, romance, and dark academia into a compelling romp. Its immersive storytelling and length make it well-suited for listeners who enjoy longer binge sessions.
5. The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown (Science fiction)
Narrator: Miranda Raison | Duration: 13 hrs 16 mins
Gareth Brown’s debut work takes you inside the life of bookseller Cassie Andrews, who inherits a peculiar tome that allows her to traverse anywhere, if she knows how to open its doors. What starts as quiet curiosity turns dangerous as others hunt for the book’s potent magic.
Miranda Raison delivers a rich, character-driven narration, balancing whimsical warmth with suspense.
The audiobook is perfect when you’re craving a fast-paced, inventive adventure that rewards attentive listening. Play it during evening commutes or solo weekend escapes when you can savor the mystery and magic.
6. Playground: A Novel by Richard Powers (Literary science fiction)
Narrators: Edoardo Ballerini, Robin Siegerman, Eunice Wong, Pun Bandhu, Krys Janae & Kevin R. Free | Duration: 13 hrs 51 mins
Richard Powers weaves a richly layered tale across time and ocean in Playground. We follow Todd and Rafi, two friends with divergent paths in tech and literature, alongside Evie, a Canadian marine biologist, and Ina, an artist rooted in environmental advocacy, all converging on a fragile Polynesian atoll facing human exploitation.
The multi-narrator cast brings distinct voices for each timeline and perspective. Each narrator maintains clear pacing and tone, so listeners can orient themselves in the complex narrative while staying emotionally engaged.
The audiobook holds up best when you have the time and focus to let its themes sink in. It’d be ideal for weekend sessions of full immersion.
7. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (Science fiction)
Narrator: Ray Porter | Duration: 16 hrs 10 mins
In Project Hail Mary, a schoolteacher-turned-astronaut named Ryland Grace wakes up aboard a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he’s there. What unfolds is a high-stakes journey across space, laced with ingenuity, humor, and the relentless drive to save humanity.
Narrator Ray Porter brings this tale vividly to life, effortlessly balancing scientific curiosity, dry humor, and emotional moments.
Winner of the 2022 Audie Award for Audiobook of the Year and Best Science Fiction Audiobook, Project Hail Mary is perfect for long listening sessions, whether it’s a road trip, weekend relaxation, or any time you want to travel through space and come back enlightened!
Bonus listening: Katabasis: A Novel by R.F. Kuang, narrated by Morag Sims & Will Watt (dark academia fantasy), Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, narrated by Lenny Henry (mythology)
Best thriller and mystery audiobooks in 2025
8. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden (Psychological thriller)
Narrator: Lauryn Allman | Duration: 9 hrs 46 mins
Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid plunges you into Millie’s world. Millie is an ex-con who starts anew as a live-in housekeeper for the affluent Winchester family, only to uncover chilling secrets hidden in plain sight.
Lauryn Allman’s masterful narration brings distinct voices to Millie and Nina, keeping the suspense taut and the pace unrelenting.
The Housemaid is the kind of audiobook that begs for a single-session listen. It’s best enjoyed when you can cozy up, press play, and let its shocks land one after another.
9. The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware (mystery thriller)
Narrator: Imogen Church | Duration: 15 hrs 11 mins
Lo Blacklock returns in this tense follow-up to The Woman in Cabin 10. Now a mother living in Brooklyn, she seizes an opportunity to revive her journalism career by covering the opening of a luxury hotel in Switzerland. The trip turns harrowing when Lo finds herself on the run across Europe after a shocking encounter in a hotel suite.
Imogen Church’s suspense-packed narration aptly captures Lo’s mounting dread and urgency, and keeps the listener hooked.
The travel-tinged thriller suits listeners who enjoy atmospheric mystery on the move. It’s ideal for long commutes or a weekend audio escape when you crave a story that won’t let you pause.
Bonus listening: The Adventures of Amina Al-Sarafi by Shannon Chakraborty (mystery adventure), The Bullet That Missed by Richard Osman, narrated by Jason Watkins (mystery)
10. Honorable mention: The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (Self-help)
Narrator: Mel Robbins | Duration: 10 hrs 38 mins
Mel Robbins introduces a simple yet powerful mantra: “Let Them," a practice of releasing control over others' actions to reclaim emotional peace and focus on what truly matters.
The audiobook is filled with relatable stories, evidence-backed guidance, and practical life tools, delivered in Robbins’ own grounded, conversational voice.
The Let Them Theory is a great choice for mornings when you want a quick mindset shift, or anytime you feel weighed down by expectations and need a short, uplifting listen.
👉Looking for audiobooks that are more enjoyable and appropriate for children? Check out our curated list of the best audiobooks for kids!
How to improve audiobook experience in 2025?
To improve your audiobook listening experience, try these tips:
- Adjust playback speed: Speed up narration for non-fiction to absorb information faster, or slow it down for complex stories and rich prose
- Create the right environment: Noise-cancelling headphones or a quiet corner can make a huge difference to the listening experience
- Pair audiobooks with routines: Slot them into daily walks, commutes, or chores so listening becomes a habit
- Switch between audio and text: Some services sync ebooks with audiobooks, letting you read when you can and listen when you’re on the move
- If the audiobook version isn’t available, create your own: Use AI book readers to convert any text into natural-sounding audio, be it articles, manuscripts, or notes
How to create audiobooks on your own?
The audiobooks we mentioned above are sure to keep you company for hours, but sometimes the best listen is the one you make yourself.
If your favorite book doesn’t have an audio version yet, or the narration doesn’t click with you, you can now turn almost any text into an audiobook of your own using Speaktor, an AI-powered text-to-speech tool.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to create an audiobook on your own using Speaktor:
1. Sign up to Speaktor.
2. Select the Convert TXT, PDF, DOCX Files into Voiceovers menu from the dashboard.
3. Upload your file.
4. Edit the text for smooth narration and pick the language and voice.
5. Play the audio to test the results, and if you’re satisfied, download the WAV or MP3 file.
Within minutes, you have your custom audiobook ready.
Best audiobook creator in 2025
2025 has been exciting for audiobook listeners, with award-winning narrations, immersive storytelling, and genres for every mood.
But the real breakthrough is that listening no longer depends only on publishers or professional studios.
With tools like Speaktor, you can create audiobooks yourself, in your own voice preference, and in the language you want (Speaktor supports 50+ languages!).
Speaktor’s advanced text-to-speech technology makes it possible to generate lifelike narration in minutes.
You get control over voice styles, pacing, and formats, whether you want to listen during a commute, on a road trip, or while winding down at night.
What used to be exclusive to big audiobook publishers is now accessible to anyone with a story or a document to share.
So, after you’ve explored the best audiobooks of the year, why not create one of your own? Try Speaktor today and turn any text into an audiobook!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best audiobooks in 2025 include award-winning titles across fiction, nonfiction, and memoirs. From Barbra Streisand’s My Name is Barbra to Kristin Hannah’s The Women, the list offers a mix of genres that can fit into any listener’s routine, whether you want inspiration, suspense, or pure entertainment.
The best selling audiobooks this year range from historical fiction like Rednecks to fast-paced mystery thrillers such as The Housemaid. These books continue to dominate weekly charts as more listeners choose audio formats for convenience and immersive storytelling.
It depends on your mood and goals. A fiction novel is great when you want to escape into a story, while a nonfiction audiobook works better if you’re looking for insights into life, psychology, or money management. Matching the genre to your listening context (e.g. commute, summer break, or winding down at night) helps you get the most from each book.
Yes, many publishers now release family-friendly titles, from childhood classics to updated action-packed series for kids. These audiobooks often use lively narration with multiple narrators, making them a fun way for parents and friends to share stories together during travel or downtime.
Mystery and suspense titles keep listeners hooked with tension and twists, while a biography or memoir offers an intimate connection with the artist or author who often narrates their own story. Both genres give listeners a sense of closeness, whether it’s unraveling clues or hearing personal reflections on love, power, or relationships.
You can search audiobook platforms like Audible or Libro.fm each week for updated recommendations. Look for curated lists by publishers or browse by genre. For example, July often sees big summer releases, while the end of the year highlights what won major awards like the Audies. Keep an eye on charts to ensure you never miss a new book that could become your next favorite listen.