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Check out the best audiobooks I listened to in 2021. Sharing my top five choices from last year including favorite fiction and non-fiction.
Audiobooks are something extra special. A book can go from good to fantastic with the right narrator, while a wonderfully written book may become dull if the reader isn’t engaging. However, there are some books that are just better when listened to! Today I’ll be sharing my best audiobooks of 2021.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, narrated by Lesley Manville
Sure, the writing is what makes this book sparkle, but the narrator adds so much to this series. Her voice helps create the characters and her inflection brings them to life. Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim, and Ron have a realness they lack when I picked up the book to try to read it. I immediately went back to listening to it. There were times I laughed out loud, which is very rare. Do yourself a favor and try this series! There’s really nothing else like it out there, as far as I know. Don’t miss the author interview at the end!
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger, narrated by Scott Brick
Scott Brick’s reverberating voice brought Odie, Albert, Mose, and Emmy’s epic adventure in Depression-era America into bittersweet focus. As these four ran away from the Lincoln Indian Training School, the narrator’s voice carried you away too as they floated down the river in search of home. A uniquely American re-telling of The Odyssey.
The Lovely War by Julie Berry, narrated by Jayne Entwistle
I must confess, I started this book because of the narrator. Jayne Entwistle has a unique voice that is one of my favorites. I came to enjoy her storytelling ability after listening to the Flavia de Luce series and The War that Saved My Life. Like This Tender Land, The Lovely War is influenced by Greek myth to tell a World War I story of four couples. If that’s weird and confusing, I get it. Just give it a try. What sets this recording out is that it is actually narrated by a cast of seven narrators and even includes music, which you will discover, is central to the plot.
The Truth by Peter Grainger, narrated by Gildart Jackson
DC Smith is one of my favorite characters from one of my favorite police procedurals. However, in this book he’s trying out a new job: private eye. Coming out of retirement to help his old friend, Charlie Hills, this story didn’t go quite the way I thought it would. Grainger is a thoughtful writer who writes slow burn mysteries that are rich in character and plot. Gildart Jackson’s narration captures DC’s sarcasm and draws you into the story. If you want to begin this series start with An Accidental Death.
Narrated by the author in such a winsome and conversational way, The Road Back to You, draws you in with humorous stories but also a great deal of insight. If you want to learn more about the Enneagram, this book would be a great place to start. But I definitely recommend the audiobook version because it almost feels like the author is sitting right across from you.
Do you listen to audiobooks? If so, what were your favorite audiobooks from 2021?
For other audiobook recommendations check out Top 10 Audiobook Recommendations or Top 10 Audiobook Recommendations for Children.
Check out Anna and the Swallow Man by Gabriel Savit. It’s an excellent audiobook and won the Odyssey award a few years ago.