An Ode to Audiobooks: Why you should give them a try and my top recommendations
- Isabella Wimmer
- Apr 30
- 6 min read
Updated: May 4
Even as a book lover, I often fail to get into a consistent reading schedule. I sit in front of a computer all day, and by the time I get home from the gym, I go to bed physically and mentally tired. The only thing I want is passive relaxation. A comfort show or social media scrolling seems like the perfect match. But, I always feel like those things suck away my free time. A higher version of me would just turn the screens off and grab a book. The standard version of me feels her heavy eyelids closing as soon as I touch a hardcover. If only I could have someone read to me...
This is where audiobooks come into play. As a child, I always enjoyed bedtime stories, but the practice stopped in adulthood. Now, I usually listen to either music or podcasts during my chores, commute, whilst getting ready and exercising. After a while, I get bored of the same music I listen to, especially because I want to "save" some songs by listening to them rarely, so I don't tire of them as easily. Also, I find that I am more excited to go work out to some tunes if I listen to less music during the day. As for podcasts, I like to research the topics as I listen and watch the conversation on YouTube, allowing me to engage more. Long working hours, driving commutes, maintaining my own household, and hot girl walks don't allow for this level of engagement, and it presented me with the perfect reintroduction to audiobooks..
The best audiobook source is Audible. They have every book on there you can imagine; some are free of charge when you have a subscription, and they do incredible recordings with famous actors and a musical score. The subscription is only 9.95€ a month, or 0.99€/month for the first three months. When you sign up, you get two credits each month. With each credit, you can purchase a book and, unlike on Spotify, listen to it with no hour limit whatsoever. On average, I finish two books on Audible per month, so I am never left needing to buy more credits, although it is an option. Some months, I find no time to listen to books at all, and I have last month's credits rolled over to the next. When this happens, I can pause my subscription until I require more. In the meantime, I can still utilise my remaining credits and listen to my purchased books in the library.
All in all, the number of books I "consume", since reading would be the wrong term, has at least doubled per year. On top of that, I look forward to my bedtime ritual every night since it helps me to soothe, relax, and fall asleep much quicker. I even listen to my books when doing house chores. If you don't happen to live alone, or you are on carpool duty, I would warn against using a speaker when listening to adult fantasy novels (ACOTAR got me into trouble many times...).
If this was not enough to convince you, I give you my top recommendations, which I have enjoyed listening to immensely.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
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Ever since it was released in 2023, "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus has topped international bestseller lists, and the Apple TV show has amassed an even bigger fanbase. Set in 1960s America, the story is about a female chemist who struggles to be accepted in her field #womeninstem. I loved it so much I developed an obsession with the 1960s in general, which will be made obvious by the next book recommendations. It made me realise how audiobooks are an ideal medium for historical fiction, specifically. The audio adds to the worldbuilding, and since this story also includes a television show, it almost makes you feel like you are sitting in the TV audience yourself.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
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To be honest, the 2011 film with Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Emma Stone, and Jessica Chastain (phew, what a cast) introduced me to this story rather than the book, but I have since wanted to read it. Also set in the 1960s, it addresses segregation of the Southern States through the perspective of the household help – which used to be just black women. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, and I highly recommend everybody read this once. Also, the voiceover actress has the unique ability to alter her voice to each character and even imitate the regional accent. This way, the ensemble set of extraordinary female characters comes alive in a way only audio could deliver.
The Women by Kristin Hannah
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This book took me through all humanly possible emotions, like a rollercoaster up and down, and then landed me back safely. Usually, I don't like it when books are too much like a funfair ride, but this one makes sure the reader gets home well. It talks about the women who served in the Vietnam War as nurses and explores their side of the story. It made me think of the whole ordeal completely differently, and I love it when a book has the power to change my understanding of a concept so fundamentally. Also, listening to the audiobook version articulated the emotional state of the characters dealing with PTSD and then coming to terms with it. This gives the reader a more empathetic ear to such a controversial time in history (and the book itself has been wrapped up in some controversy).
1984 by George Orwell
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Most people will have probably read this in school already; it is a literary classic, after all. But Audible re-released the audiobook with an actual musical score and an incredible cast of voiceover actors, including Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Tom Hardy, and Andrew Scott! It felt like a stage production in an intimate theatre that was my car. It also served to remind me how current the dystopian world of 1984 actually is. I highly recommend this even if you have already read the book, as it is short and can be listened to in a day.
Fourth Wing Trilogy by Rebecca Yarros
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BookTok made me do it, and I am not ashamed to say it. I grew up with the Fantasy Genre, from Harry Potter and Twilight to ACOTAR, and this trilogy was the first one in a while to hook me in from the start. For some reason, there hasn't been something too original in Fantasy for a while, and when I first read about a dragon rider military academy, with an enemy to lovers trope, I wasn't convinced to give this book a try. Since the audible version is so much cheaper than the physical copy, I gave in after hearing so many rave about it on TikTok. If you are a sucker for tropes, dystopian worlds where lovers unite to fight off evil and some badass fighting scenes, you will like this. But, please, do NOT listen to this on speakers when children are nearby.
When I say you need to read this before they make a movie, which they are, trust me. Incredible characters, writing, and development. No wonder BookTok is all over it, especially if you like queer love stories. The voice-over actress is insanely talented in invoking the glamorous character of Evelyn Hugo, which will impact your idea of her positively. The casting team for the film have a big task ahead of them. As it is set in two different time periods, the voiceover actress even manages to make her voice sound modern and then more vintage (maybe, that was the audio producer).
The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
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This one surprised me. My favourite genre is Historical Fiction, and this novel fits unexpectedly into it. It tells the story of Anna, the fictional wife of Jesus, who is treated as a historical rather than a religious figure here. Sue Monk Kidd masterfully crafted this story into a relatable tale of a woman's life during that time in history of religious persecution and a husband on a mission.
Let me know what your top recommendations for audiobooks are in the contribution box below!
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