The Best Short Story Audiobooks to Immerse Yourself In Now | Audible.com | Audible.au

The Best Short Story Audiobooks to Immerse Yourself In Now | Audible.com | Audible.au

The best short story audiobooks to immerse yourself in now

From famous novelists and talented short-form writers, these audiobooks showcase outstanding works of short fiction spanning a variety of genres, themes, and styles.

10 February 2023

The best short story audiobooks to immerse yourself in now

This post was originally published on Audible.com.

Short stories have had a huge impact on the canon of great literature. In fact, some of history's most revered novelists—Ernest Hemingway, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Louisa May Alcott among them—wrote short stories, which make excellent introductions to their work. Plus, these bite-size listens are the perfect way to get a big dose of literary inspiration even when you’re short on time.

To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of small-but-mighty short stories and outstanding short story collections. From a wide variety of genres, including sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and more, here are the best short story audiobooks available.

Best Short Story Audiobooks

Best Short Story Collections

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Some People Have Real Problems

As she demonstrated in her bestselling novel The Vanishing Half, Brit Bennett excels at telling intimate, relatable stories about women haunted by their choices in life. In this darkly funny and yearnful short story, Bennett draws us into a woman's inner reflections on the routes she’s taken through life—and the detours she's made—while riding the train with her husband to an appointment with a fertility doctor. Each stop stirs up thoughts on her marriage, the loss of her baby, and the lover she pushed away. Narrating the journey, Tessa Thompson perfectly captures the longing, questioning, realization, and determination to move forward that makes "Some People Have Real Problems" feel genuine and, ultimately, hopeful.

Smoke Signal

Marie Benedict, Kate Quinn

Two beloved authors of historical fiction, Marie Benedict and Kate Quinn team up to tell a fictionalized tale of two very real women: Osla Kendall, a World War II code breaker, and Agatha Christie! As war rages in Europe, Osla gets her hands on Agatha Christie's new manuscript, N or M?—and catches a mysterious signal. Intrigued, Osla gets in touch with the reclusive author through her eccentric book group. So begins the story of an unlikely friendship and a shared mission to serve their country, despite the risks. Fans of Benedict's The Mystery of Mrs. Christie and Quinn's The Rose Code will be delighted to hear that the narrator of each of those novels, Nicola Barber and Saskia Maarleveld, have teamed up for "Smoke Signal" too.

Refresh

Futuristic tech and current events collide in Salim Lemelle's thrilling short story about a young Black man living in a future where everyone uses Refresh, a virtual reality app that lets you augment your life via computerized contact lenses. Our protagonist hatches a plan to raise his profile by staging a confrontation with a police officer, but nothing about his performance goes exactly as planned, leaving him to reckon with the consequences of the app and reality he lives in. This short story is perfect for fans of Black Mirror.

Dispossession

Written by Tayari Jones, the bestselling author of An American Marriage, this heart-wrenching short story reveals the complicated relationship between a fiercely loving single Black mother and her only son. Cheryl sacrificed so much to send her son Javonte to a boarding school in New England in the hopes of giving him a better life. But that sacrifice comes at a cost—distance. After Javonte cancels a trip back home to Atlanta, Cheryl takes on a job at a moving company and is forced to confront her past. A story of mothers and sons and race, Dispossession is performed beautifully by actress, activist, and author Gabrielle Union.

The Didomenico Fragment

Percival Skinner is a retired art appraiser in New York City who finds himself fallen on hard times after a market downturn, uncertain of how he'll be able to recoup his losses. Then, someone approaches him about a painting by Giuseppe Didomenico, which has been in Skinner's family for generations. If Skinner can arrange a sale, his money problems will be solved ... but he's not the only one with an eye on the fortune. The incomparable John Lithgow narrates this charming and humorous story about art, history, and second chances, written by a master of literary fiction, Amor Towles.

Grieving Conversations

Set in the snowy mountains of Bowie, Wyoming, this atmospheric listen follows County Sheriff Brody Hayes, who finds more than he bargained for when he answers a missing-persons call. An infant has disappeared, and the conditions for a search couldn't be worse. As Brody races against the clock and a raging snowstorm, he is forced to confront painful and deeply conflicted memories about his own family. With emotional narration by Neil Hellegers, Chris Cander's "Grieving Conversations" will keep you gripped and leave a lingering impression on your heart.

Something That Cannot Die

If you're seeking an inspiring short story about a strong woman, listen to Paula McLain's fictionalized tale of Georgia O'Keefe at a crossroads. At 42, Georgia feels stagnant in her life and career—painting flowers no longer fills her with joy. Leaving behind New York and her unfaithful husband, Georgia travels to New Mexico, where the sweeping new scenery and a relationship with an adventurous young woman reignite the artist's creativity and forever change her. Another strong woman, Emmy Award-winning actor Cynthia Nixon performs "Something That Cannot Die" beautifully.

Zikora

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

"Zikora" is a moving short story by the author of Americanah, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The titular heroine, Zikora is a successful Nigerian American lawyer living in Washington, DC, who is shaken to find herself pregnant and abandoned by her boyfriend. When her mother arrives to help her prepare for the baby's birth, Zikora feels like a lost and helpless child once more—until she begins to examine her mother's experiences and sacrifices against her own wants, needs, and vision of being a mother. This highly rated listen is stunningly narrated by Adepero Oduye.

The Myth of the Self-Made Man

In The Myth of the Self-Made Man, Ruben Reyes delivers a compelling sci-fi short story with echoes of current events. Tomas is a graduate student intent on uncovering the history of Felipe, a cyborg that once worked to maintain American homes. The only clue Tomas has to go on is a voice clip of Felipe reciting that he was made in America, but Tomas has his doubts. His search leads him across South and Central America, and straight to a New England warehouse where cyborgs were reprogrammed—with shocking consequences. The story is narrated by award-winning narrators and actors Inés del Castillo, Eric Yves Garcia, and Christian Barillas.

Binti

Nnedi Okorafor's short story "Binti" stands out for its rich blend of science fiction and African cultural elements. Okorafor’s world-building is intricate, creating a future where traditional African values and advanced technology coexist seamlessly. The protagonist, Binti, is a compelling character whose journey of self-discovery and courage resonates deeply. Her struggles with identity and cultural heritage are personified with alien encounters. Okorafor’s storytelling is both imaginative and grounded, making "Binti" a powerful exploration of personal and cultural transformation. The story’s unique perspective and thought-provoking themes contribute to its acclaim and enduring impact.

Red at the Bone

Jacqueline Woodson

"Red at the Bone" by Jacqueline Woodson is a compelling short story that masterfully explores of identity and generational legacy. Woodson’s writing is poignant and evocative, delving into the lives of her characters with empathy and insight. The story’s nonlinear structure and rich, lyrical prose highlight the complexity of relationships and the impact of past choices on the present. Woodson’s ability to capture the nuances of personal and cultural history makes the narrative both intimate and universally resonant. The depth of character development and emotional resonance in "Red at the Bone" underscores Woodson’s exceptional storytelling prowess.

Exit West

Mohsin Hamid’s short story "Exit West" is a captivating exploration of migration and love amidst global turmoil. Hamid’s narrative intertwines a poignant love story with speculative elements, presenting a unique perspective on the refugee experience through magical doors that transcend borders. His lyrical prose and innovative structure highlight the human resilience and adaptability in the face of displacement. The story’s blend of realism and fantasy underscores themes of hope and transformation, making "Exit West" a compelling and thought-provoking read that resonates deeply with contemporary issues.

The Five-Year Hitch

Melissa de la Cruz

This delightful and unconventional romantic comedy follows two people who repeatedly drift in and out of each other’s lives over five years. Told in a podcast interview format, The Five-Year Hitch captures the ups and downs of a relationship marked by breakups, reconciliations, and lingering feelings. Narrated by Rachel Boston and Daniel di Tomasso, this short audiobook offers charming dual narration and sound effects, making it a refreshing, fun, and heartwarming listen.

Liberation Day

George Saunders

In a time when it’s a lot easier to be cynical and even nihilistic about the world, George Saunders is here to show us, once again, how to find empathy in the most hopeless-seeming places, all while managing to fit in some humor—because even at its most challenging, life is kind of funny. With performances by the author, as well as Tina Fey, Michael McKean, Edi Patterson, Jenny Slate, Jack McBrayer, Melora Hardin, and Stephen Root, experiencing these stories in audio brings them to a whole other level. After listening, you'll feel a bit lighter and maybe even reassured. What would the Booker Prize-winning author like listeners to take away from Liberation Day? "In the end," says Saunders, "I hope people just come out of it a little stunned."

The Refugees

Viet Thanh Nguyen

The Refugees is the second published work of fiction by author Viet Thanh Nguyen, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 2016 for his debut novel, The Sympathizer. It is an assembly of stories about immigration, confronting questions of identity, diaspora, and nostalgia. Each story follows the life of a different character, usually a Vietnamese immigrant in America, through their struggles and successes. Nguyen writes in beautiful, staggering prose, and hearing him read his own work is truly exquisite. His voice perfectly captures the emotion ingrained in his words, while his gentle tone makes the stories approachable to those who may not understand the complexities of being an immigrant.

Fragile Things

Fragile Things is a New York Times bestselling compilation of 32 short stories by Carnegie Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman. While selections range from ghost stories to love stories and from drama to comedy, Gaiman’s witty storytelling style remains constant throughout the collection. These short stories vary in length, but they’re all sure to have you utterly enraptured, due in large part to Gaiman’s effortless narration of his own stellar stories. He adds the perfect amount of mysticism into his voice, highlighting the fantastical nature of each story in a way that makes for an excellent listen on misty-morning drives and late-night walks.

Interpreter of Maladies

Revolving around Indian immigrants in America and Americans of Indian descent, the nine stories in Jhumpa Lahiri's Pulitzer Prize-winning Interpreter of Maladies are instantly relatable to anyone who has ever felt like a foreigner at home. Lahiri, author of the acclaimed novel The Namesake, follows the emotional journeys of characters seeking love, belonging, and a sense of identity in a strange land. The result is a passionate, gorgeous collection of stories that, when coupled with Matilda Novak's gentle narration, offers a melodic and emotional tribute to the process of finding familiarity.

Bloodchild and Other Stories

Octavia E. Butler

Widely hailed as the "grand dame of science fiction," Octavia E. Butler was one of the first Black woman writers to receive critical acclaim in a genre traditionally dominated by white men. Bloodchild and Other Stories features seven of Butler's short stories plus two of her essays. The title story, Bloodchild won both a Nebula Award and a Hugo Award. It takes place on an alien planet where humans are kept in a preserve for the protection of the species and breeding. While not necessarily set in space, the remaining short stories also revolve around apocalyptic plot lines—and are as thought-provoking as they are creative and colorful. Narrator Janina Edwards, who was classically trained in drama at the NYU Tisch School of the Arts, lends a theatrical touch to the performance of Butler’s world.

Men Without Women

Haruki Murakami

Men Without Women presents seven short stories from internationally acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami. The stories, translated into English by Philip Gabriel and Ted Goossen, are all true to Murakami’s dreamlike tone, while staying grounded and relatable to the listener. Kirby Heyborne narrates Murakami’s work with authenticity and warmth. His congenial voice allows the listener to enter the author's wonderful, meditative world, crafting what one listener called poetic recital, almost effortless to absorb. The collection includes the story "Drive My Car," which was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated film in 2021.

The Things They Carried

A literary classic, Tim O’Brien's The Things They Carried has been a bestseller since its publication in 1990. The collection of stories, which follows the on-the-ground experiences of Vietnam War soldiers, is made more credible and emotive by O’Brien’s personal experiences fighting in the Vietnam War. Brought to painful, vivid life by Emmy Award-winning actor Bryan Cranston, perhaps best known for his starring role in the television series Breaking Bad, this listen is marked by an indisputably captivating performance. This edition also feature an exclusive recording of The Vietnam in Me, O’Brien’s account of his visit back to Vietnam in 1994, read by the author himself.

Stories of Your Life and Others

Stories of Your Life and Others is a collection of Ted Chiang’s first eight published stories. Chiang won the John W. Campbell Award for best new writer in 1992; since then, his works have continued to be lauded—in fact, the title story for this collection won the Nebula Award for Best Novella in 2000. Though definitely different in terms of plot and characters, the stories all share a common thread: each follows a character who is forced to deal with a sudden change. Narrators Abby Craden and Todd McLaren offer precise and authentic performances, linking the tales together while giving each an individual feel and personality.

Everything That Rises Must Converge

Flannery O’Connor

One of America's most distinguished writers of short stories, Flannery O’Connor is famed for her social commentaries surrounding American morals and ethics. Her characters can be described as intrinsically flawed and, worse, grotesque. In the title story, for instance, the disdainful son of a white bigot faces his own prejudice when his mother suffers a fatal stroke. And in The Comforts of Home, another smug son has an Oedipus complex—which leads to a tragic accidental murder. Skillfully narrated by Bronson Pinchot, Karen White, Mark Bramhall, and Lorna Raver, the audiobook highlights the levity and satirical moments of each searing tragicomedy while bringing O’Connor’s intricate language to life.

Edgar Allan Poe - The Complete Short Stories

Edgar Allan Poe

While best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Edgar Allan Poe is also recognized for his formative contributions to the genres of detective fiction and science fiction. This 16-hour Audible exclusive collection offers 29 of Poe's short stories, including his most well-loved works—The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Raven, and The House of Usher—as well as lesser-known gems like the satirical The Angel of the Odd and a tale involving a doppelgänger, William Wilson. Veteran voice actor Bob Thomley narrates the collection, deftly nailing the rhythm, tone, and elements of illusion so important in Poe’s writing.

The Largesse of the Sea Maiden

The Largesse of the Sea Maiden showcases the very last short stories written by prolific American author and National Book Award winner Denis Johnson. This collection brings together five short stories that, while not connected in plot, are linked by the themes of misconception and identity. Each short story is read by a well-known screen actor, including Nick Offerman, Dermot Mulroney, Will Patton, Liev Shreiber, and Michael Shannon. Though vastly different in style and tone, each actor highlights his narration of a powerful story with an excellent performance, demonstrating his mastery of the spoken word.

The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories

Widely considered one of the greatest writers of all time, Russian playwright Anton Chekov had no shortage of incredible stories. Best known for works such as The Seagull, his first play, and The Lady with the Dog, Chekov was an expert at crafting short but gripping stories that have stood the test of time and become classics in their own right. The Chekhov Collection of Short Stories culls together some of the best works from the writer, including Ward 6, The Black Monk, and The Student—made even better by the masterful narration of Richard Armitage, who also introduces each selection with a brief but enlightening overview. This Audible Original collection is a can’t-miss listen for anyone who appreciates fine storytelling.

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