Reading is one of the most rewarding yet least labour-intensive hobbies you can engage in. While books haven’t evolved too much in the last 25 years, the advent of audiobooks has changed how many people around the world experience the artform. In 2020 alone, audiobooks made over $4 billion (£2 billion) in revenue. A large part of this success is due to the massive hit of Amazon’s Audible service.
With so much to choose from, it’s hard to pick a single audiobook to spend your monthly credit on. This may leave you wondering what the most popular and best Audible books currently are.
What Are the Most Popular Books on Audible?
While the most popular are not always the best Audible books, they serve as a wonderful place to start your search.
Below, we’ve listed some of the most popular Audible books from 2023 that you may be interested in.
The Trial
Written By Rob Rinder, Narrated by Josh Dylan
A courtroom drama from a man who understands all the nuances of the setting, this is a book full of twists and turns. The plot follows a trainee barrister tasked with defending a man believed to have poisoned a police officer. You can expect things to be far from straightforward, though.
Yellowface
Written by R. F. Kuang, Narrated by Helen Laser
If you’re looking for something more satirical, Yellowface could be the book you’re looking for. In this story, an author steals a manuscript from a recently deceased author. She goes on to publish it under a pseudonym, and surprises herself with how far she’ll go to continue the deception. Described as a critique of the publishing industry, Yellowface is a thriller that will keep you engaged.
Spare
Written and Narrated by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex
Perhaps one of the most talk about books of 2023, Prince Harry’s memoir is a tell-all look at the royal’s life from his perspective. For many, it’s been regarded as a breath of fresh air, to hear his honest thoughts rather than what is portrayed in the media. Whatever your thoughts on the royal family, Spare is sure to be insightful.
Strong Female Character
Written and Narrated by Fern Brady
For a different kind of memoir, consider Strong Female Character. In this book, Fern explores her life as an autistic woman, and all the challenges that come with it – both funny and heart-breaking. This is an opportunity to really understand the complexities of life from someone with a unique outlook on it all.
The Rebound
Written by Leeanne Slade, Narrated by Claudia Jessie
If you’re looking for a good laugh, The Rebound could be what you’re looking for. This is a romantic comedy following Kitty as she comes to terms with her cold feet after her long-term boyfriend proposes. Enter her handsome nemesis, who has an idea to help her get over her doubts – an idea that could just complicate things even more.
How Do You Get Free Books on Audible?
If you’re not already a member, Audible offers a free trial which gives you one audiobook credit for free. Be careful, however, as after the trial is finished, it will automatically charge you for another month. Make sure to cancel your trial if you don’t want to subscribe.
However, if you do subscribe, you will continue to receive one credit each month which can be used to redeem any audiobook of your choice. If you can pick one from the list of best Audible books, the ones you redeem in this way are kept by you forever – even if you stop subscribing!
Additionally, as part of the subscription, you also have access to Audible Plus. This includes unlimited listening to thousands of original Audible productions as well as podcasts and some of the best Audible books on the platform.
Is Audible Free on Amazon Prime?
While Audible has a lot of similarities to Amazon Prime Video, your Amazon Prime membership doesn’t include Audible as part of it. However, if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber and decide to start a free trial with Audible, for the first month you will get two credits to spend on the best Audible books instead of one. That’s a little extra incentive to sign up.
How Do I Find the Right Audiobook?
If none of the choices in our list of the most popular and best Audible books take your fancy, you may have to dig deeper to find your next read.
Luckily, Audible allows you to search through books by category. Through this, you can curate a selection to help you find what you want to listen to in the moment.
Below, we’ve listed a selection of books based upon popular categories that might just turn out to be your next listen.
Arts and Entertainment
All About Me!
Written and narrated by Mel Brooks
This autobiography takes you on the journey behind how Mel Brooks became one of the most successful entertainers of our time. At 95, the man himself sits down to talk about everything that made him who he is.
Biographies and Memoirs
The Beatles: The Authorised Biography
Written by Hunter Davies. Narrated by John Telfer
Few bands have had such on impact on popular culture as the Beatles. This exclusive reworking of the original 1968 book includes new material that makes this one of the best Audible books on the Beatles.
Hunter Davies stayed close to the band through their meteoric rise and shares a wealth of behind-the-scenes knowledge that nobody else had access to.
Education and Learning
Thank You for Arguing
Written and narrated by Jay Heinrichs
Language is a subtle art, and few are as knowledgeable on the subject as Jay Heinrichs. In his book, he aims to teach listeners how to better their language skills by using examples from pop culture and history. If you want to be a better speaker, a persuasive leader, or just want to convince your grandchildren to help you in the garden, this is for you.
Health and Wellness
Why We Sleep
Written by Matthew Walker. Narrated by John Sackville
While sleep is something we all do daily, we as a species don’t know a lot about it. This audiobook hopes to change that. Why We Sleep is one of the best Audible books on the subject, as it tries to answer the simple question the title implies.
Based on 20 years of research, this audiobook will teach you what we all need to know about sleep.
Home and Garden
All Creatures Great and Small
Written by James Herriot. Narrated by Christopher Timothy
Originally released in 1973, the audiobook of this acclaimed story brings a new energy to the much-loved tale.
Set in 1930s Yorkshire, these memoirs of a well-mannered vet are a perfect listen for animal lovers. Heart-warming, relatable, and funny, if you were a fan of the TV series or the original books this may be one of the best Audible books for you.
Literature and Fiction
Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection
Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Narrated by Stephen Fry
With narration from the ever-wonderful Stephen Fry, this collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s mysteries is essential for Sherlock Holmes fans. Exclusive to Audible and clocking in at almost 72 hours, you’re going to be enthralled for days. Including ten Sherlock Holmes stories, Stephen Fry introduces and applies his own insight before each one, creating – what you could rightly call – a definitive collection.
Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense
Apples Never Fall
Written by Liane Moriarty. Narrated by Caroline Lee
No relation to the nefarious doctor featured in the last book’s stories, Liane Moriarty writes a much newer and already immensely popular tale. Apples Never Fall is a story about a family and their secret past. When their mother goes missing, four sisters discover more than they could have ever imagined about their family’s seemingly perfect lives.
Hailed as a thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end, if you want a new mystery you can sink your teeth into, this is one of the best Audible books for you.
Travel and Tourism
The Story of the World in 100 Moments
Written and narrated by Neil Oliver
Perhaps one of the best Audible books on the subject of history, Neil Oliver puts together an anecdotal record of the past from across the world. Told in 100 mostly disconnected short stories, you’re bound to learn things about our world that you’ll want to repeat to any who will listen. An easy 12 hours of listening, The Story of the World in 100 Moments will likely turn you into a bigger history buff than you already may be.
With over 200,000 audiobooks on Audible, there’s bound to be something for you to enjoy. When you explore its massive catalogue, you’ll be surprised what you may find, enjoy, and learn. Many independently published books also have audio versions, too. Don’t hesitate, trust you gut, and start your next adventure today.
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Editor’s Note: This article was updated on 15th January 2024 to reflect current information.
