I have surprised myself in the last few years and have become an audiobook listener. I always maintained that listening to an audiobook counts as reading, but I just never did it myself. I have a pretty short daily commute and very little time when I am not around small children to enjoy an audiobook—or so I thought.
While I still prefer to have a hard copy of a book, I have found myself listening to audiobooks here and there as I do chores around the house or take a long solo drive somewhere. My first true step into audiobooks was when Britney Spears’ memoir was released in 2023. I had pre-ordered the book, but it did not arrive on publishing day, so I decided to get a jump start and begin listening to it. I listened to it every waking moment I could until I was done. And after that, I realized I actually enjoyed the experience.
I have a few things that help me get into an audiobook experience. I personally prefer memoirs or non-fiction when I listen, although I have enjoyed a few fictional audiobooks. I also find that having a voice I am already familiar with makes it easier for me to listen and follow along.
Here are a few of my favorite audiobooks so far:
The Women In Me by Britney Spears
Besides the introduction, the book is not narrated by Britney herself, but by fellow 90s star Michelle Williams. I loved hearing Britney’s own story for the first time and it was both hopeful and sad.
One In a Millennial by Kate Kennedy
I was meant to inhale this book. I loved the audiobook so much that I ended up buying a hard copy of the book and also started listening to Kate’s podcast. This collection of essays about growing up as a millennial woman was so near and dear to my heart.
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
This will probably end up being my favorite read/listen of 2025 unless something really good comes my way in the next few months. This book, about fictional Olympic hopeful ice skaters, is done so well as an audiobook. The book and audiobook feature a large cast of characters, each with a different voice. The standout for me was the narrator, Christine Lakin (Step-By-Step’s little sister, Al), and the actual Olympian skater Johnny Weir, who voices the best character for his real personality.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This is the only TJR book I’ve listened to as an audiobook, and I panic-listened to this one once I realized how long the library and Libby lists were. This one kept me on the edge of my seat until the literal last second of the book. So good!
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough
Much of this was written before Presley’s death, but her daughter, Riley Keough, fills in the gaps and adds her own take on many of the stories her mother tells. Julia Roberts narrates much of Lisa Marie’s stories, although there are a few recordings sprinkled in with Lisa Marie’s own voice. Riley narrates her own part of the story.
Over the Influence by Joanna “JoJo” Levesque
I found this memoir about JoJo (from “Leave (Get Out)” fame) and her rise to fame in the early 2000s fascinating. She was so young and signed some bad deals that have left her a lifetime of headaches when it comes to releasing new music. I was so enthralled with this one while I listened in the grocery store that I accidentally took another woman’s cart for probably a full 90 seconds while she tried to get my attention around the store. Oops!
Although I still prefer a physical book (especially a physical book with a beautiful color I can stare at all week), I am happy to have finally crossed over to enjoying audiobooks!
