Every year, just when we think we might have a hold on our TBRs, “best of” lists come out in droves. We wave goodbye to the nonsensical notion that maybe, for once, we might be all caught up on our reading list, and add story after story to our physical or metaphorical stack.
And, unfortunately, we are not here to help! With so many amazing audiobooks having been released in 2025, our Libro.fm wish lists are feeling pretty endless right about now. The good news? The holiday season is a great time to catch up on our own reading, and spread the love as we find gifts for others.
Whether you are a die-hard romance fan, you love sci-fi exclusively, or you listen to a little bit of everything, we’re here to help you start the search for your next read.
From award winning literary fiction to exciting mysteries full of suspense, here are some of Libro.fm’s bestselling audiobooks of 2025 by genre!
Literary Fiction
The Emperor of Gladness
“A story about the everyday magic of knowing people, and finding purpose in the mundane. More than just your usual coming of age story, The Emperor of Gladness is life and death and laughter all rolled up into one beautiful book.”
— Kelsie • Red Balloon Bookshop
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Broken Country
“This story is SOUL-WRENCHING. Striking, evocative, and intense. From the very first page, I was completely immersed, so deeply connected to the characters that I had to keep reminding myself it’s just fiction. CALM DOWN. STEP OUTSIDE AND TOUCH SOME GRASS. It’s rare to find a book that captures the full depth of human emotion the way this one does.”
— Shelby • Cavalier House Books
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Good Dirt
“I came for a murder mystery and found a family healing journey spanning many generations! Culturally rich with incredible insights about grief and love! Beautifully written and very moving.”
— Zinna • A Great Good Place for Books
View the audiobookMystery & Thriller
Katabasis
“This reader will follow R.F. Kuang anywhere, even to Hell and (hopefully) back, hot on the heels of two rival Cambridge students who must bring their advisor back from the dead to graduate. Katabasis is the ultimate dark academia fantasy about the denial of the flesh, hellish demands, and deals with the devil it can take to ascend the ivory tower, to live ‘the life of the mind’ – but above all, a romantic revelation about what really makes life magical.”
— Megan • Underground Books
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Beautiful Ugly
“Alice Feeny does it again! Dark tension throughout, non-stop plot twists, and an ending you’ll never see coming. Actor Richard Armitage’s narration is fantastic!”
— Alana H. • Schuler Books
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The Bewitching
“The Bewitching is an ensnaring multi-timeline gothic novel full of little haunts and dread. A little bit of an academia vibe + creepy things happening = an intriguing story. If you like dark gothic novels, horror, or witchy things, give this a listen!”
— Claire • Mostly Books
View the audiobookRomance
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping
“This was just so delightful. Loved how Sera’s spell created this inn for people who need a place to stay and how Luke and his sister Posey, ended up there. And the premise of how Sera lost her powerful magic and subsequent exile from the magic guild, was a compelling start. Mandanna weaves a lovely story.”
— Audrey • Belmont Books
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Good Spirits
“I had no idea that a supernatural/paranormal/magical holiday romance was what I needed right now, but BOY, OH BOY did I NEED it. This book was fun, mysterious, magical and HOT. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love. It was perfect. Also, while listening, I also developed a major crush on Will Watt’s voice – SWOON! A perfect, fresh holiday romance – I loved it!”
— Bailey • Birdie Books
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Problematic Summer Romance
“Messy age gap romance set at a rich wedding in Italy. Could it BE any more summer beach read? No. And I enjoyed the journey.”
— Laura • Annie Bloom’s Books
View the audiobookNonfiction
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
“This may be one of the most devastatingly personal audiobooks l’ve ever listened to. You can hear El Akkad’s anger rise so clearly as he describes his disgust with the current world order. His perspective is invaluable as we clearly go through shifts of conscious, morality, and power over the coming years.”
— Alissa • South Main Book Company
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107 Days
From the chaos of campaign strategy sessions to the intensity of debate prep under relentless scrutiny and the private moments that rarely make headlines, Kamala Harris offers an unfiltered look at the pressures, triumphs, and heartbreaks of a history-defining race.
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Enshittification
“If you need more reasons to hate the billionaires, Doctorow provides more than you can imagine! He also narrates this book, so his explanations and analysis have just the right heft and necessary humor. Learn about today’s Enshitternet!”
— Sarah • East City Bookshop
View the audiobookSci-Fi
Death of the Author
“An absolute masterpiece, this book-within-a-book follows a disabled Nigerian-American author as she skyrockets to fame- and the main character of her book, Ankara, a ‘”rusted robot’” and android scholar on a post-human Earth. Disability, identity, family, fame, what it means to be the author of your own story, Okorafor offers a rich and razor sharp exploration of it all in Death of the Author, with an ending that made me want to start all over again!”
— Megan • Underground Books
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Of Monsters and Mainframes
“Spaceships, vampires, and werewolves oh my! A delightful sci-fi murder mystery with the most endearing misfit crew in the known universe.”
— Jericha • Northshire Bookstore
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Silver Elite
Wren Darlington has spent her whole life in hiding, honing her psychic abilities and aiding the rebel Uprising in small ways. When one careless mistake places her in the hands of the enemy and she’s forced to join their most elite training program, she’s finally handed the perfect opportunity to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks. But training for Silver Block can be deadly, especially when you’re harboring dangerous secrets and living in close quarters with everyone who wants you dead.
View the audiobookWith so many good options to choose from, we hope this list will help you along on the path towards your next great read!