Book listeners, take note: AudioFile magazine and Libro.fm have released their lists of the top audiobooks of the year.
AudioFile’s list shines a spotlight on the magazine’s favorite audiobooks of the year, while Libro.fm’s list is based on sales figures from its independent bookstore partners.
A few books made both lists, including Ann Patchett’s Tom Lake, narrated by legendary actor Meryl Streep, which was praised by AudioFile as a “must-listen” and ranked at No. 3 on the Libro.fm list.
Rebecca Makkai’s I Have Some Questions for You, performed by Julia Whelan and JD Jackson, was No. 5 on Libro.fm’s list, with AudioFile saying that Whelan’s performance is “consistently gripping” and that Jackson “shines in a pivotal cameo.”
R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface, read by Helen Laser, ranked at No. 9 on the Libro.fm list. AudioFile called it “a riveting production of a thrilling and thought-provoking story.”
The No. 1 book at Libro.fm was Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare, read by the royal author, followed by Britney Spears’ The Woman in Me, narrated by Michelle Williams.
Other books to get the nod from AudioFile included Kirkus Prize winner James McBride’s The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, narrated by Dominic Hoffman; and three books by Kirkus Prize finalists: Eleanor Catton’s Birnam Wood, performed by Saskia Maarleveld; Safiya Sinclair’s How To Say Babylon, read by the author; and Jon Klassen’s The Skull, narrated by Fairuza Balk.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
