So, which audiobooks did people most often download? Parade rounded up the 30 best audiobooks of 2021, according to bestselling lists by both Audibleand Libro.fm. Keep reading for the year’s top audiobooks!
30 Best Audiobooks of 2021
1. The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green on Audible, $28
Known for his young adult books like The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, and Paper Towns, John Green’s latest release, The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet is his first foray into nonfiction. A collection of essays that ultimately derived from his podcast of the same name with brother Hank Green, each piece examines humanity and what it means.
2. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner on Audible, $28
A standout nonfiction book and audiobook of 2021, Crying in H Mart is author Michelle Zauner’s story of growing up Korean-American. Throughout the audiobook, Zauner narrates—in great detail—losing her mother and struggling with her personal identity. There’s humor and raw emotion there as Zauner reckons with what it means to be both Korean and American in the wake of her mother’s passing.
3. Malibu Rising: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid on Audible, $28
4. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir on Audible, $29.95
Performed by Ray Porter and written by Andy Weir, Project Hail Mary is an astronaut-led thriller with, as Weir is known to do well, plenty of science woven throughout.
5. The Last Thing He Told Me: A Novel by Laura Dave on Audible, $22.67
Is it just us or do thrillers conveniently lend themselves to absolutely exhilarating audiobooks? Another New York Times bestseller, and also a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick, The Last Thing He Told Me is about a suspenseful disappearance. Before mysteriously leaving, Owen leaves his wife Hannah a note that reads “protect her,” which Hannah assumes is about their 16-year-old daughter. But however clear the note, it definitely leaves some unanswered questions.
6. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty on Audible, $31.18
Written by Liane Moriarty (of Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers fame) and narrated by Caroline Lee, Apples Never Fall examines familial relationships. Listeners follow the Delaney family and each of the four adult Delaney siblings as they learn that they’re mother has suspiciously disappeared and fear their fathers is the most obvious suspect. Performed by Caroline Lee
7. Will by Will Smith on Audible, $30.63
Will is both written and narrated by Will Smith, so it’s no surprise that it’s a #1 bestseller. We all know the part about Smith going from a kid growing up in West Philadelphia (born and raised on the playground is where I spent most of my days) to one of the biggest rap stars of his time. From there, he became an acting force to be reckoned with, starring in timeless films like I Am Legend, Men in Black, Hitch, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Seven Pounds. But there’s still a lifetime, pre-acting career that we don’t know much about. That is, until now.
8. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry on Audible, $24.50
Narrated by Julia Whelan, People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry was a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 that certainly didn’t disappoint. Poppy and Alex aren’t very alike; still, every year for the past decade, they’ve spent one week of summer vacation together. Until, of course, they ruined it all two years ago. But now, Poppy has convinced him to take one more weeklong vacation with her. Her plan? Fix it all during this one week of vacation.
9. How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Aross America by Clint Smith on Audible, $25.94
An instant number one New York Times bestseller and longlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Nonfiction, How the World Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America takes listeners on an honest journey from Clint Smith’s home in New Orleans to a plethora of monuments and landmarks that highlight just how central slavery has been in shaping America’s story.
10. You Got Anything Stronger? by Gabrielle Union on Audible, $23.95
Written and narrated by Gabrielle Union, You Got Anything Stronger? is Union’s sequel to her original bestselling memoir, We’re Going to Need More Wine from 2017. Her most vulnerable (and funny) yet, the audiobook goes back over everything that’s happened since her first foray into nonfic: her surrogacy journey, becoming a mom, her husband retiring; she even speaks directly to her iconic Bring It On character.
11. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro on Audible, $28
Performed by Sura Siu, Klara and the Sun is the next important work from Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro. A New York Times Notable Book of the Year, the standout detail of Klara and the Sun is its observant narrator, who watches the behavior of all who come into the store. Each time someone does wander in, Klara—ever the hopeless romantic—wonders if this one is The One.
12. Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks on Audible, $17.49
Written by Bell Hooks and narrated by Adenrele Ojo, Ain’t I a Woman is a tour of Hooks’ experience of Black womanhood. Topics include the impact of sexism on Black women during slavery, racism that exists within white feminism, and the Black woman’s role in feminism.
13. Bath Haus by PJ Vernon on Audible, $31.50
An LGBTQ+ thriller, Bath Haus is sure to haunt. Oliver Park is a recovering addict from Indiana who fell in love with a successful trauma surgeon, Nathan. Despite their seemingly perfect relationship, Oliver can’t shake visiting Haus—a gay bathhouse. Once the line is crossed, Oliver descends into a swirl of lies, leading the listener on an emotional and terrifying journey to cover up the truth.
14. Black Boy Out of Time: A Memoir by Hari Ziyad on Audible, $25.19
Narrated by Desean Terry, Black Boy Out of Time is a memoir by Hari Ziyad—one of nineteen children in a blended family. This nonfiction audiobook details Ziyad’s life raised by a Hindu Hare Kṛṣṇa mother and Muslim father in Cleveland, Ohio as he comes to terms with his true self.
15. Broken Horses: A Memoir by Brandi Carlile on Audible, $28
16. The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton on Audible, $19.84
Another Most Anticipated Book of 2021, The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton follows Opal in 1970s New York City as she finds herself a part of a fun and funky creative scene. But when creative differences blur into lines of unfettered racism, Opal learns that repercussions are always harsher for women who raise their voices. Especially Black women.
17. Just as I Am by Cicely Tyson on Audible, $34.49
18. The Sandman: Act II by Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs on Audible, $26.21
The great science fiction epic continues! In Neil Gaiman and Dirk Maggs’ The Sandman: Act II, James McAvoy returns to voice Morpheus. The sequel to the New York Times audio bestseller and based on the DC comic books and graphic novels by Neil Gaiman—who returns as narrator—Sandman fans should expect a jam-packed second act. Voice performances in this new act include narrators Simon Vance and Ray Porter, as well as Kat Dennings, Regé-Jean Page, Emma Corrin, Michael Sheen, Kristen Schaal, Brian Cox, John Lithgow, Jeffrey Wright, and so many more, including fan-favorite narrators Simon Vance and Ray Porter.
19. The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah on Audible, $37.94
20. Beginner’s Mind by Yo-Yo Ma on Audible, free
A free Audible original, Beginner’s Mind by legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma is an exploration of the masterful musician’s passion toward a better future. For all of us. Yo-Yo Ma challenges the listeners to “strip away preconceptions and reclaim a beginner’s mind…one open to new questions, new connections, new explorations, and unexpected answers.”
21. The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris on Audible, $25.94
Performed by William DeMeritt, The Sweetness of Water by Nathan Harris became not only an instant New York Times bestseller, but is also an Oprah’s Book Club Pick and one of President Barack Obama’s Favorite Books of 2021. It’s the tail-end of the Civil War and brothers Prentiss and Landry are now freed by the Emancipation Proclamation. Together, they seek refuge at the homestead of George and Isabelle Walker, who hire the duo to work their farm. Still, the brothers dream of reuniting with their mother, who was sold away as a slave when they were young.
22. My Broken Language by Quiara Alegría Hudes on Audible, $28
The Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and co-writer of In theHeights, Quiara Alegría Hudes, shares her coming-of-age story growing up with her Puerto Rican family in Philadelphia.
23. Billy Summers by Stephen King on Audible, $34.99
Billy Summers by Stephen King is performed by Paul Sparks, an incomparable telling of yet another haunted tale from King’s mind. In this new thriller, Billy Summers is a man in the room with a gun. He’s an assassin with a job to do but now, he’s ready to retire. With one last hit before he can give it up completely, this sniper might just find his final job more challenging than he thought.
24. Milk Blood Heat by Dantiel W. Moniz on Audible, $17.49
Performed by Machelle Williams and written by Dantiel W. Moniz, Milk Blood Heat depicts the ordinary lives of the women of Florida as they each grapple with themes like race, human connection, and womanhood.
25. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley on Audible, $31.04
Definitely one of the best audiobooks in the Young Adult category, Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley has nearly 5,000 reviews from listeners. Daunis Fontaine is an 18-year-old misfit who never saw herself fitting in either in her hometown or at the nearby Ojibwe reservation. College could be a fresh start for her, she hopes, but when tragedy unexpectedly has her family in its grips, Daunis’ whole life changes. Throw in a love interest, a murder investigation, and a universal search for truth and it makes for an incredibly entertaining story for young adults and adults alike.
26. Beautiful Country by Qian Julie Wang on Audible, $28
Another beautiful memoir from this past year is Beautiful Country. Written by Qian Julie Wang, this work of nonfic is Qian’s story as an undocumented child living in poverty. She arrives in the richest country in the world—in New York City—in 1994. She experiences curiosity, fear, and more as she grapples with the significant changes her family endures. In China, her parents were esteemed professors; here, they are “illegal.” But small joys is what keeps Qian going—whether that’s greasy pizz, Christmas in New York, or characters in Qian’s first English books.
27. The Christmas Pig by J.K. Rowling on Audible, $24.99
The only children’s book on this list, The Chritmas Pig by J.K. Rowling is not to be missed! Sure, her other famous books have all but broken audiobook records over the years, but The Christmas Pig is sure to be a new Christmas classic. Family-friendly and perfect for getting the kids involved in the audiobook lifestyle, the book follows Jack and his new toy, the Christmas Pig, as they search for Jack’s favorite lost toy.
28. Harlem Shuffle: A Novel by Colson Whitehead on Audible, $31.50
Narrated by Dion Graham, Harlem Shuffle is a new novel by the critically acclaimed, Pulitzer Prize-winning Colson Whitehead. A New York Times bestseller, Harlem Shuffle is all about the most fascinating heists and scams that went down in 1960s Harlem.
29. Seven Days in June by Tia Williams on Audible, $29.65
Narrated by Mela Lee, Seven Days in June by Tia Williams is another Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. Eva Mercy is a single mom and bestselling erotica writer. She already has a lot going on in her life, so it’s a big deal when she unexpectedly meets Shane Hall, an award-winning novelist, and they start a relationship. But it’s not a first-time meeting… They had a torrid love affair years ago and they’ve been secretly addressing one another in each other’s fiction books for years.
30. One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston on Audible, $25.51
An easy-to-listen-to romantic comedy, One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston is quite recognized seeing as its been named one of 2021 Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year, 2021 NPR Best Book of the Year, 2021 New York Times Book Review Notable Books of the Year, 2021 Time Magazine Best Books of the Year, and 2021 Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year. August is 23 when she moves to New York (along with her super-cynical attitude). Life is no rom-com after all. But then, she meets a beautiful girl on the train during her daily commute: Jane. A wrench is thrown in their love story when August finds out Jane is displaced in time from the 1970s. Can August save the girl lost in time? Next up, 150 quotes for fervent readers.
