Best audiobooks of 2020 so far

The Can't-Miss Releases of 2020

Within the world of audiobooks and beyond, this year has been huge. In 2020, audiobooks helped us to be more informed, to escape, to be entertained and so much more.

We've crunched the numbers, heard from our listeners and gotten expert opinions from our Audible Editors to round up the top 20 of 2020 and the best of each genre – just for you. Now, bring on 2021!
Product list
    • By: Nakkiah Lui, Miranda Tapsell
    • Narrated by: Nakkiah Lui, Miranda Tapsell
    • Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins
    • Release date: 15-06-2020
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 414 ratings
    • In this nine-part series, Australia’s most celebrated young playwright Nakkiah Lui and actress Miranda Tapsell put on their hats and gloves to tackle the rite of passage which is the controversial debutante ball. Join them as they explore whether this colonial tradition can be empowering for women or whether it’s something worth getting angry about. Starting with a lesson on tea time etiquette in London where it all began, Lui and Tapsell go on to discover how First Nations women across the globe have made this tradition their own. With powerful storytelling and bite-size episodes, you’ll find it hard to tear yourself away from this series. It weaves together history, social issues, and thought-provoking questions around topics that are extremely relevant to our times, including female empowerment and Aboriginal rights.
    Not Available on Audible.com.au

    • By: Mariah Carey
    • Narrated by: Mariah Carey
    • Length: 11 hrs and 17 mins
    • Release date: 29-09-2020
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 658 ratings
    • Narrated by Mariah Carey herself, this memoir offers a personal glimpse into the ups and downs of a life lived in the spotlight. While countless stories and interviews have been written about her, this is the first time the American singer-songwriter has been able to share unfiltered memories, struggles, and triumphs. In her own words, she explains “Writing this memoir was incredibly hard, humbling and healing. My sincere hope is that you are moved to a new understanding, not only about me but also about the resilience of the human spirit.” Moving, eye-opening, and inspirational, this is a rare opportunity to hear the story of one of music’s biggest stars in her own words.

    $38.99 or free with 30-day trial

    • By: Neil Gaiman, Dirk Maggs
    • Narrated by: Riz Ahmed, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Neil Gaiman, James McAvoy, Samantha Morton, Bebe Neuwirth, Andy Serkis, Michael Sheen
    • Series: The Sandman, Book 1
    • Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
    • Release date: 15-07-2020
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,584 ratings
    • Audible and DC present the first-ever audio production of the New York Times best-selling series written by acclaimed storyteller Neil Gaiman. Performed by an ensemble cast starring James McAvoy (It, X-Men: First Class, Split), Riz Ahmed (Four Lions, Jason Bourne) and Taron Egerton (Kingsman, Rocketman), to name a few, this audiobook will transport you to a dark, literary world of fantasy and horror. This is just the first instalment of a multi-part original audio series that will have you hooked all the way through. It follows the story of The Sandman, also known as Lord Morpheus, who is pulled from his realm and imprisoned on Earth, unable to escape for decades. Once free, he needs to restore his power by finding three “tools” that will help him rebuild his dominion. As the multi-layered story unfolds, he confronts Lucifer (Michael Sheen) in hell and crosses paths with a range of characters you might recognise from DC comic books, ancient myths and real-world history. Hailed by the Los Angeles Times Magazine as “the greatest epic in the history of comic books” and, with this unique audio version featuring an unprecedented cinematic soundscape, The Sandman is a truly mind-blowing experience.

    $38.99 or free with 30-day trial

There are more ways to explore

Whether you're looking for a listen for the whole family, something educational or your next sci-fi wild ride, explore these audiobook recommendations.

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