At Libro.fm, we skip the algorithms. Instead of relying on machine-generated picks, we go straight to the people who actually know books: the indie booksellers working at our 4,000+ partner bookshops around the world.
If you’re wondering what’s a good audiobook to start with, you’re in the right place. Below are the best audiobooks of all time—the titles that drew the most bookseller recommendations across our catalog of 600,000+ titles. These are the ones that got handed to customers again and again, earned the most enthusiastic shelf-talks, and proved themselves the greatest audiobooks of all time.
From the most exciting audiobooks to quiet literary gems, from top rated audiobooks in fiction to must-listen nonfiction, these recommendations hold up. Including several of the best audiobooks of 2025, this list covers the full range of great audiobooks to listen to.
Everything Is Tuberculosis
“John Green has such a unique passion for so many things, but none as strong as for the education and eradication of tuberculosis. You can feel how much he cares in every passage, his recounting of time with TB patients, and his delightfully peppered-in fun facts about things that impact every single human on this planet. Much like how he rates things in the Anthropocene, we rate this book 5 stars. ”
— Lindsay, Lily Papers Library
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Yesteryear
“Everyone’s talking about Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and I get it. Tradwife influencer wakes up in 1855 and has to actually LIVE the life she’s been performing. It’s a satire that cuts deep about motherhood, social media curation, and what we’re willing to lie about. Read it.”
— Kai, Book People on Queen
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A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping
“I loved this entertaining, slightly unhinged romp through magical Britain! This book manages to be cozy and lighthearted without erasing the difficult parts of life. With a diverse cast of characters including nonbinary and neurodivergent representation, this story confronts injustice with hope, whimsy, and an irrepressible sense of humor.”
— Zoe, Russell Books
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This Story Might Save Your Life
“If you are a fan of podcasts, true crime, and thrillers, this is the audiobook for you. You just might find yourself wishing for a real version of this podcast! ”
— Traci, Magnolia & Main Books
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Great Big Beautiful Life
“This was my first Emily Henry adventure and I was so pleasantly surprised! With not typically being a romance reader I wasn’t sure what to expect but everything from the characters, the plot and writing had me smiling while simultaneously tearing up at times. This was a beautiful exploration of love, life, and discovering what truly matters. Witty, and full of emotion, Great Big Beautiful Life kept me on the edge of thinking I knew what was coming next and then not being totally sure. I honestly loved every second of it.”
— Carli, Folklore & Fable Booksellers, LLC
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First-Time Caller
“This adorable slow-burn romance between single mom Lucie, a romantic who thinks she doesn’t need a shot at love, and romance show radio host Aiden, who thinks he doesn’t deserve one. It’s especially sweet that unbeknownst to Lucie and Aiden, everyone is rooting for them, and Lucie’s family. ”
— Kristen, Dragon Tale Books
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The Correspondent
“I love epistolary novels and this one is terrific. The story is well told through letters and emails written to and from Sybil Van Antwerp, a 73-year-old living alone in her house with a view of the river, in Annapolis, Maryland. The audio sparkles with a fine cast of narrators. I highly recommend.”
— Lorna, Wellesley Books
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Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
“Not only does the tagline “toxic lesbian vampires” promise (and deliver) greatness, but the three characters and their stories are mesmerizing told by truly terrific narrators. Whelan, Leung, and Calin are stellar!”
— Bless, Little City Books
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The Knight and the Moth
“The Gothic cathedral, gargoyles, old gods/omens made for a mysterious and compelling quest! The romance had incredible chemistry, and the Gargoyle character was so cheeky and fun and a refreshing character to have in a fantasy novel!”
— Janie, This House of Books
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My Husband’s Wife
“A pulse-pounding thriller that will keep you guessing until literally the last page. I was hooked immediately from the first chapter and remained excitedly locked in for the entire wild ride. The audio effects, like the sound of feet pounding on the pavement, only added to the outstanding multi-cast narration. This is one of those books that I looked forward to ANY excuse to listen to it throughout the day, it was addicting! SO GOOD! ”
— Amy, Copperfield’s Books
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James
“This brilliant retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s point of view comes to life with narrator Dominic Hoffman. Relive Huck’s mischievous adventures through the eyes of Jim as both characters come to some profound realizations about humanity, slavery, and racism.”
— Sharon, Book Bound Bookstore
View the audiobookListen to our interview with Percival Everett
we chat with acclaimed author, poet, and painter Percival Everett to discuss his award-winning novel James—the 2024 National Book Award winner and Libro.fm’s Audiobook of the Year.
Automatic Noodle
“I never thought I could become so invested in the lives of robots just trying to scrape out a life doing what makes them happy. Automatic Noodle is an excellent look into how war, political divide, and class separation impact the lives of the disenfranchised. I highly recommend it!”
— Matthew, Fireside Books
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Tom Lake
“Not only is this a phenomenal book of generational storytelling, but MERYL STREEP IS NARRATING! She brings the characters to life. From her laugh to her tone; her character as Lara is spot on. She is engaging and motherly but keeps secrets to herself. This book transform you to the essence of Traverse City, Michigan with the breeziness and humility of a true Northerner. ”
— Amy, Plumfield Books
View the audiobookListen to our interview with Ann Patchett
We talk to Ann Patchett, the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of seven novels, as well as the owner of Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee.
One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
“This book is a vital contribution to the ongoing conversation on this topic. Omar El Akkad’s ruminations on the West will reflect the inner turmoil many people are feeling now, opening the door our personal reckonings. The author’s narration is stunning, making it hard to put down despite the difficult subject matter.”
— Becca N., Bookmarks
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The Favorites
“This book is a dramatic, twisty story about ambition, obsession, and complicated relationships that teeter between empowering and toxic. Set in the world of elite Olympic ice dancing, this book will keep you on the edge of your ice blades as you root for your favorite (and least favorite) ice dancers. PS: This audiobook is amazing, with a full cast of characters to complement the interview-style writing.”
— Maggie, River Bend Bookshop
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The River Has Roots
“The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar is a beautiful, lyrical fairy tale. It packs in a whole lot of darkness and an equal measure of hope in such a short read. I was entranced every minute. If you’re an audiobook person, the narrator does such a beautiful job of pacing the reading just right, and getting to hear the songs adds so much.”
— Anna, Katy Budget Books
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Lucky Day
““Never tell me the odds”, because former statistics professor-turned nihilistic hermit certainly will! Absurdist, terrifying, and full of bloody good horror, Lucky Day had me in a chokehold until the very last word. Narrator Mara Wilson delivers every dry, sarcastic quip with razor-sharp precision, breathing life and a whole lot of heart into this tale of hope and perseverance for our modern world.”
— Lauren, River Bend Bookshop
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Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
“I was seized and thoroughly absorbed by this amazing book, beautifully narrated in audiobook form. Sam and Sadie are two brilliant video gamers and creative designers whose lives revolve around games. The book follows their friendship and professional collaboration from early teen to young adult – through love and grief and disappointment and success. Many issues come up throughout the novel, such as the role of women in on-line gaming, gender identification, difficulties for mixed-race children, the immigrant experience, the place of art in society. But underlying is a wonderful and tender tale of companionship and love.”
— Bob, Zenith Bookstore
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Of Monsters and Mainframes
“This paranormal sci-fi has flavors of Murderbot and I Was A Teenage Werewolf, which is a combination I never knew I needed. Well-paced and genuinely funny with pervasive themes of found family and forged identity, this queer adventure is easy to love and impossible to put down. Highly recommend.”
— Samantha, The Nonbinarian Bookstore & Book Bike
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I, Medusa
“I, Medusa by Ayana Gray is a powerful, fiercely emotional retelling that reclaims one of mythology’s most misunderstood women. Gray transforms Medusa from a villain into a complex, heart-wrenchingly human character fighting to survive a world built to silence her. This is a story about trauma, resilience, rage, and the courage it takes to reclaim your own narrative. Dark, lyrical, and unforgettable, I, Medusa is perfect for readers who love feminist reimaginings, morally complex heroines, and myth retellings that challenge everything you thought you knew.”
— Jaime, Birdhouse Books and Gifts
View the audiobookPlaylist: Top 20 Bookseller-Recommended Audiobooks of All Time
Did your favorite make the cut? Looking forward to a new favorite?
Let us know in the comments below!
It seems extraordinary to me that Jim Dale’s audio recording of the Harry Potter books didn’t make it into the recommended audio books of all time.
Hi, Adrienne. The audiobooks in the list above have been recommended by booksellers at our partner bookstores the most frequently. Glad you enjoyed Jim Dale’s narration!
Barbara Kingsolver’s “Prodigal Summer” should be somewhere in here. The book is so rich and layered, it took me a good three listens at first. And then at least two listens every year thereafter.
Glad you enjoyed Prodigal Summer, Mimi!
Great blog and great recommendations. I look forward to getting several of them: Mexican Gothic; Daisy Jones; Educated; One two three; Red at the bone; and Legendborn in particular.
Hope you enjoy the audiobooks, Joy!
Tank you
Thank you for introducing me to ‘Nothing to See Here’!