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Recent Audie Award winners
Acclaimed audiobooks recognized for excellence over the last several years.
Published on June 27, 2023
Finding Me: A Memoir
Viola DavisDavis’ emotional memoir made major waves this year, winning the Grammy Award for Best Audiobook plus two Audie Awards (Audiobook of the Year and Best Narration by an Author). It chronicles her journey of growing up underprivileged before attending Julliard and becoming the renowned actress we know today. The EGOT winner’s story is one of dedication, humility, and much-deserved success.
Pipeline
Dominique MorisseauNya, a Black public school teacher, sends her teen son Omari to private school, hoping he’ll have better opportunities there. But systemic racism is just as bad, if not worse, in the private sector, and microaggressions soon push Omari to his breaking point. Winner of the 2023 Audie for Audio Drama, this emotion-fueled production of Morisseau’s play reveals the painful realities of the school-to-prison pipeline and how deeply ingrained prejudice affects Black children and families.
Unprotected: A Memoir
Billy PorterPorter is a powerful symbol for unapologetically living as your authentic self. But, as the “Pose” and “Kinky Boots” star reveals in this unfiltered memoir, growing up Black and gay forced him to overcome adversity and trauma before becoming the unforgettable and inspiring icon he is today. “Unprotected” won the 2023 Audie for Autobiography/Memoir.
Fairy Tale
Stephen KingBrought to life by Seth Numrich, this Audie winner for Best Male Narrator follows Charlie Reade, a lonely teenager who befriends the elderly Mr. Bowditch. The more time Charlie spends at Mr. Bowditch’s home, the more curious he becomes about the shed out back — and the unearthly noises coming from within. Of course, it wouldn’t be a true King novel if the oddly mysterious didn’t morph into a fantastical adventure full of good versus evil and quests for survival.
On the Hustle
Adriana HerreraHerrera infuses this contemporary romance with her Dominican heritage — writing about a determined woman who decides to ditch her life in New York, including her infuriating boss, and head to Texas. But said infuriating boss follows, and their romance is off-the-charts hot and compelling, earning this title the Audie for Erotica.
Dark Angel: A Military Action and Supernatural Warfare Thriller
Brian AndrewsIn the second installment of “The Shepherds” series (following “Dark Intercept”), a former Navy SEAL leads a team of tactical operatives working against terrorists. Their greatest enemy yet is a former comrade determined to cause global religious strife. Andrews and Wilson pen another action-packed thriller with supernatural elements in this winner of the Audie in the Faith-Based category.
The Ransomware Hunting Team: A Band of Misfits' Improbable Crusade to Save the World from Cybercrime
The Ransomware Hunting Team: A Band of Misfits' Improbable Crusade to Save the World from Cybercrime
Renee DudleyBy now, most of us are familiar with ransomware: malware that holds data hostage while demanding massive payouts. These attacks can be life-threatening when used against essential organizations like hospitals. In this Audie Award winner for Nonfiction, Dudley and Golden profile the brilliant volunteers who work to stop cyber attacks across the globe. Actor B.D. Wong (“Jurassic World,” “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”) narrates, adding to the thrills and suspense.
Intergalactic Exterminators, Inc
Ash BishopWhen Russ and Nina find an old family heirloom, they naively believe their money troubles are over. The last thing the friends expect is to attract malicious extraterrestrials — and the titular Intergalactic Exterminators. Even more surprising, the exterminators want Russ to join their team. Bishop accomplishes a great feat in his debut, penning a heartwarming and thrilling sci-fi story teeming with character depth. It’s no surprise this title won the 2023 Audie for Science Fiction.
Greenwich Park
Katherine FaulknerFeeling overwhelmed by her pregnancy and disconnected from her workaholic husband, Helen is thrilled to meet Rachel in prenatal class. As their friendship blossoms, Rachel becomes more erratic, leading Helen to believe her friend may have dark secrets. This increasingly tense and unputdownable domestic mystery won the 2023 Audie for Thriller/Suspense.
Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel
Leigh Bardugo“This is no ordinary audiobook, but rather a graphic novel for the ears,” says Booklist of this Audie winner in the Young Adult category — the prequel to Bardugo’s perennial favorite (and BookTok sensation) “Shadow and Bone.” It centers on Aleksander, the eventual antagonist in the Grishaverse, allowing fans to fully empathize with his character and understand why he becomes the Darkling.
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
Jason ReynoldsPortico Reeves has enough on his plate being a secret superhero (Stuntboy protects everyone in his apartment building). But now Portico’s parents are fighting. A lot. If Stuntboy can save his neighbors, surely he can save his parents, too? This superhero tale (which won the 2023 Audie Award for Middle Grade works) brims with emotion, giving adult and kid readers alike a glimpse into the hopeful mind of young Portico.
Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir
Ashley C. FordAuthor and podcaster Ford shares her story of growing up without her father, who was in prison most of her childhood, and her complicated relationship with her mother. “‘Somebody’s Daughter’ is the heart-wrenching yet witty and wondrous story of how Ford came through the fire and emerged triumphant, as her own unapologetic, Black-girl self,” writes The New York Times of this 2022 Audie Award winner for Autobiography/Memoir.
The Parted Earth
Anjali EnjetiIn the wake of India’s Partition in 1947, teenage Deepa must flee New Delhi, leaving behind the boy she loves. Decades later, her estranged granddaughter is determined to learn more about Deepa’s life and her heritage. “The Parted Earth” is a story of reconciliation — with who you are and who you might have been — and the impact of loss across generations. Deepti Gupta won the Best Female Narrator Audie in 2022 for her outstanding work on this title.
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World
Benjamin Alire Sáenz“Hamilton” creator and star Lin-Manuel Miranda returns to narrate another “Aristotle and Dante” story, winning the 2022 Audie for Best Male Narrator. Aristotle and Dante stole our hearts in the original entry of Sáenz’s series. Now, they’re determined to figure out their future and build a relationship together, despite the difficulties inherent to young love and the added adversity of being gay in the 1980s.
Machiavelli For Women: Defend Your Worth, Grow Your Ambition, and Win the Workplace
Machiavelli For Women: Defend Your Worth, Grow Your Ambition, and Win the Workplace
Stacey Vanek SmithRecognized as the best Business/Personal Development audiobook at the 2022 Audie Awards, “Machiavelli For Women” takes a fresh approach to feminism. When it comes to battling gender inequality (especially in the workplace), author and NPR radio host Smith looks no further than Machiavelli’s “The Prince.” With clever insight, Smith uses the 16th-century philospher’s ideas to empower professional women to advance their careers.
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev
Dawnie WaltonWitness the adventures of Afro-Punk sensation Opal and “goofy white English boy” Nev, a two-person 1970s band with a devoted cult following. But there’s so much more to this poignant tale than good times and good beats. Rock-and-roll meets social justice when the pair suffers violent backlash to Opal’s activism against racism and misogyny. This stirring reminder to raise your voice for what you believe won the 2022 Audie Award for Fiction.
How Y'all Doing?: Misadventures and Mischief from a Life Well Lived
Leslie JordanNeed a laugh? Tune in to hear Jordan’s side-splitting stories in his fun memoir, winner of the 2022 Humor Audie Award. Joyful and uplifting, the late Emmy winner offers his sassy life observations and off-the-cuff comedy made famous by his viral social media videos.
Later
Stephen KingLike many classics by “The King of Horror,” this story blends realistic coming-of-age elements with unforgettable thrills and chills. Jamie Conklin might seem like an ordinary boy, except for the fact that, for better or worse, he can communicate with the recently deceased. The only thing not frightening about “Later” is its length: Listen to this 2022 Audie-winner in the Mystery category in a single afternoon — and don’t be surprised if you end up having a sleepless night.
Heroine
Mary Jane WellsOriginally a stage play, “Heroine” is the true story of Army veteran Danna Davis and her traumatic experiences of sexual abuse by men in her own squadron. Wells brings Davis’ story to life, seamlessly voicing multiple characters to create an ultra-immersive and moving experience. This production won the 2022 Audie for Original Work.
Blackout: A Novel
Dhonielle ClaytonBlack love and joy abound in this anthology from some of YA’s biggest stars, including Angie Thomas and Nicola Yoon. Six interconnected stories take place in New York city after a blackout. Despite the dark, the air crackles with romance, and we’re swooning over it. “Blackout” won the 2022 Short Stories/Collections Audie Award.
Local Woman Missing
Mary KubicaThis 2022 Audie Award winner for Thriller/Suspense opens when a woman goes missing. Then, another woman and her daughter disappear. The investigation goes cold until 11 years later, when the daughter makes an unexpected return. Kubica’s engrossing plot shifts between timelines, feeding the reader clue after tantalizing clue until the very end.
Be Dazzled
Ryan La SalaRaffy, who has an affinity for bedazzling, stitching, and costuming in general, can’t wait to compete in a cosplay competition. But his biggest rival also happens to be his ex-boyfriend. La Sala takes readers back and forth between past and present, giving them glimpses of Raffy’s heartbreak while moving the plot forward. Called an “adorkable romance” by Kirkus, “Be Dazzled” is a delightful YA story (winner of the 2022 Audie for Young Adult audiobooks) of following your passions and experiencing the ups and downs of young love.
Playing the Cards You're Dealt (Scholastic Gold)
Varian JohnsonTen-year-old Anthony Joplin (“Ant”) hopes he can live up to his father’s reputation in an upcoming spades tournament, but his new partner, a classmate named Shirley, keeps him on his toes. Like a kids’ “Queen’s Gambit,” Johnson uses the game to examine larger themes, including dark family secrets, toxic masculinity, and the implications of being a young Black boy finding one’s way in the world. Deep but accessible to young readers, this novel won the 2022 Audie for Middle Grade titles.
The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life
Edith Eva EgerAfter sharing her remarkable story of healing from the horrors of Auschwitz in “The Choice,” renowned psychologist Eger returns with a more practical “how-to” guide on trauma recovery. “I like to guide people to get rid of the concentration camp in their own minds and find a key in that pocket so they don’t need me anymore. It’s not a job, it’s a calling,” says Eger of “The Gift,” which won the Audie for Best Business/Personal Development audiobook in 2021.
Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You
Jen HatmakerWinner of the 2021 Faith-Based Fiction and Nonfiction Audie, Hatmaker’s “Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire” is a rousing self-care and self-help book specifically for women. Covering the intersection between faith and personal empowerment, the author teaches women readers how to be their authentic selves while dedicating themselves to Christianity.
Clap When You Land
Elizabeth Acevedo“Clap When You Land” is the bittersweet story of two girls living in different countries who, in one tragic moment, lose a father but gain a sister. After Papi Rios perishes in a plane crash, his daughters Camino and Yahaira learn of each other’s existence for the very first time. Heartbreak leads to healing in this unforgettable YA triumph. It won two Audies in 2021: one for being the best Multi-Voiced Performance, and another for being a Young Adult standout.
More Myself: A Journey
Alicia KeysIn her inspiring memoir, Grammy Award-winning musician Keys invites listeners along on what she describes to The New York Times as “the honest journey of how I found my way to becoming who I am as opposed to being what I’ve been told to be.” A star-studded audiobook with guest appearances from Oprah, Michelle Obama, Bono, Jay-Z, and more. “More Myself” took home the Narration by the Author Audie Award in 2021.
Fire in Paradise
Alastair GeeThis is the captivating account of how Paradise, California, went up in flames in one of the worst wildfires in history due to a combination of corporate negligence and climate change. The bravery of first responders and citizens who helped each other escape shines brightly in this 2021 Nonfiction Audie Award winner.
Dirty Letters
Vi KeelandThis standout friends-to-lovers story won the Best Romance Audie Award in 2021. Childhood pen pals Luca and Griffin become close friends despite the countries and oceans between them. But a tragedy abruptly ends their communications. Years later, an unexpected letter reignites the deep friendship between them — and much more.
The Deep
Rivers SolomonSolomon’s “The Deep” is based on a Hugo Award-nominated song from Clipping, the rap group headed by Daveed Diggs. It’s about a group of mermaid-like descendants of pregnant slaves who perished when they were tossed overboard crossing the Atlantic. This 2021 Science Fiction Audie winner defines the word haunting.
When No One Is Watching: A Thriller
Alyssa ColeKnown and loved for her historical romances starring diverse characters, Cole turns her talents to mystery in this propulsive psychological thriller (which won the Audie for Best Thriller/Suspense in 2021). As her neighborhood rapidly gentrifies, a Brooklyn native discovers that her neighbors’ disappearances are due to something way more sinister than rising rents.
Overground Railroad
Lesa Cline-RansomeCline-Ransome (“Before She Was Harriet”) tells the true story of the Great Migration, when millions of African Americans uprooted their lives to move from the South to cities in the North, the Midwest, and out West from 1915–1970. “Overground Railroad” unfolds through the eyes of Ruth Ellen, who’s family moves to pursue new opportunities in New York City. This educational and moving tale won the Audie Award for Young Listeners in 2021.
The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of September 11, 2001
Holter GrahamPlenty of books document the horrific events of 9/11, but very few of them are as comprehensive as “The Only Plane in the Sky” — made even more visceral as an audiobook. This poignantly curated oral history plays out from the perspectives of various survivors and victims. It won Audie Awards for Audiobook of the Year and Multi-Voice Performance (2020), with Audie judges saying, “[Garrett] Graff has created a historical document with the deftness of a poet and this production only builds on it.”
Nothing to See Here
Kevin WilsonWithin a few tumultuous years, 10-year-old twins Bessie and Roland endure the dissolution of their family and the sudden death of their mom. Where other kids might deal with these traumas with tears and tantrums, the twins’ angst manifests in an unusual way: They catch on fire. (They’re fine, but other people, furniture, etc., are not.) This absurd, hilarious, and heartwarming audiobook, narrated by Marin Ireland, won the 2020 Audie for Best Female Narrator.
Kingdom of the Blind: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel
Louise Penny“Kingdom of the Blind,” another installment of Penny’s mystery series starring Chief Inspector Gamache, takes her iconic lead character into new emotional territory (and turmoil, of course). Narrator Robert Bathurst brings Gamache and every other character to vivid life, with his talents earning the 2020 Audie for Best Male Narrator.
So You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community that Will Listen
So You Want to Start a Podcast: Finding Your Voice, Telling Your Story, and Building a Community that Will Listen
Kristen Meinzer“Kristen Meinzer’s energetic narration is well suited to her information-packed account of what it takes to put together a successful podcast and keep it going,” say the judges who awarded this gem a 2020 Audie Award for Best Business/Personal Development production. If you’ve got a podcast — or want to start one — this guide is for you.
How the Light Gets In
Jolina PetersheimThe 2020 Audie winner in the Faith-Based Fiction and Nonfiction category follows widow Ruth Neufeld as she confronts the loss of her husband and tries to find her way anew. Readers of Petersheim’s affecting story will experience a wide array of emotions while tracking this novel’s gasp-worthy plot twists.
American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race
Douglas BrinkleyOn July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 landed on the moon, and Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the lunar surface. This is the fascinating story of all the men and women who got him there, the technology that launched him into orbit (and brought him safely back to Earth), and the powerful political tensions that triggered the Space Race in the first place. “American Moonshot” won the History/Biography Audie Award in 2020.
The Chestnut Man: A Novel
Soren SveistrupAfter winning the 2020 Audie Award for Best Mystery, Sveistrup’s police procedural was adapted into a Netflix series. This Scandinavian noir packs shocking clues, twists, and turns as investigators Naia Thulin and Mark Hess track a serial killer with a brutal M.O. Not only is the murderer targeting mothers, but his crimes are also linked to a high-profile case involving a government official’s daughter.
With the Fire on High
Elizabeth AcevedoIn 2020, Acevedo won the Audie for Best Narration by the Author for this title, beating out other big-name contenders like “Becoming” by Michelle Obama and “Inside Out” by Demi Moore. AudioFile magazine writes, “Acevedo sounds natural and authentic as Emoni, an immensely likable Philadelphia high school senior with a 2-year-old daughter and a gift for cooking.”
Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness
Grace Will Lead Us Home: The Charleston Church Massacre and the Hard, Inspiring Journey to Forgiveness
Jennifer Berry HawesIn June 2015, residents of Charleston, South Carolina were shaken to the core after a race-related mass shooting at the Mother Emanuel AME Church claimed nine lives. This book, winner of the Nonfiction Audie Award in 2020, goes deeper than the tragedy itself, exploring recovery, forgiveness, and how communities band together in times of crisis.
Devil's Daughter: The Ravenels meet The Wallflowers
Lisa KleypasKleypas’ “Ravenels” series brims with love, and this installment — winner of the Audie for Romance in 2020 — is no exception. In “Devil’s Daughter,” West Ravenel meets his match with the widow Phoebe, who’s trying hard (but slowly failing) to hate West for his past deeds.
The Institute: A Novel
Stephen KingIn “The Institute,” a shadowy, Deep State organization abducts kids with special powers. Imprisoned in a creepy facility, the teens are tortured to exploit and enhance their psychic abilities. No one has ever escaped, but 12-year-old prodigy Luke is determined to get out — or die trying. King’s novel won the 2020 Audie in the Thriller/Suspense category.
Hey, Kiddo (National Book Award Finalist): How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
Hey, Kiddo (National Book Award Finalist): How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction
Jarrett J. KrosoczkaOnce upon a time, audiobook versions of graphic novels such as “Hey, Kiddo” were dismissed. But this full-cast audio production won the 2020 Audie in the Young Adult category. Krosoczka’s memoir of a family struggling to stay together through addiction is a must-listen.