Presenting our Audiobook of the Year, plus an obsessively curated selection of editor and listener favourites–each one boasting a standout, not-to-be-missed performance–to help you find your next great listen.
Presenting our Audiobook of the Year, plus an obsessively curated selection of editor and listener favourites–each one boasting a standout, not-to-be-missed performance–to help you find your next great listen.
AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR
Unreal
Unreal
AI dominated the headlines in 2026, inciting both swift adoption and urgent backlash. In many ways, this year has felt like living in a sci-fi novel, and Marc Fennell's Unreal is the perfect listen to help us process our evolving reality. It's one thing to read about LLMs and voice cloning. It's quite another to hear grieving parents use the technology to build a virtual version of their son. Or to ponder what might happen if marine biologists learn how to communicate with whales. A calm and measured voice amid a sea of fevered fears and opinions, Fennell zeroes in on what matters most: how AI is changing humans. Unreal is fascinating, informative, incredibly timely—and it’s our favourite listen of the year.
Our Top 20
Our Top 20
Adapted by Robyn Ahern
Mina Harker was Bram Stoker’s smartest character, and Ella Purnell proves it, leading the hunt in this all-star thriller alongside Aimee Lou Wood and Maggie Gyllenhaal. With Ilan Eshkeri’s haunting score and Dolby Atmos sound design, there’s no better way to experience the quintessential vampire story than with Jonathan Bailey’s Dracula whispering in your ear.
Mina Harker was Bram Stoker’s smartest character, and Ella Purnell proves it, leading the hunt in this all-star thriller alongside Aimee Lou Wood and Maggie Gyllenhaal. With Ilan Eshkeri’s haunting score and Dolby Atmos sound design, there’s no better way to experience the quintessential vampire story than with Jonathan Bailey’s Dracula whispering in your ear.
Ben Crowe
Dubbed the real-life Ted Lasso, Ben Crowe has coached homegrown world number-ones like Ash Barty and Steph Gilmore. In a to-do-list-obsessed era, Crowe makes the case for a "to-be" list: How will you show up for family, friends, and work? His narration feels like a conversation with a constant friend.
Dubbed the real-life Ted Lasso, Ben Crowe has coached homegrown world number-ones like Ash Barty and Steph Gilmore. In a to-do-list-obsessed era, Crowe makes the case for a "to-be" list: How will you show up for family, friends, and work? His narration feels like a conversation with a constant friend.
Liane Moriarty
The ladies of Pirriwee Peninsula are back, and they are even wittier and more electric. Liane Moriarty’s writing is like a knife sharpened to perfection—no word is wasted, no character dull—and the near-constant action is expertly delivered by narrators Caroline Lee and Ella Le Fournour.
The ladies of Pirriwee Peninsula are back, and they are even wittier and more electric. Liane Moriarty’s writing is like a knife sharpened to perfection—no word is wasted, no character dull—and the near-constant action is expertly delivered by narrators Caroline Lee and Ella Le Fournour.
Maggie O'Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell’s Land is so good it feels like witchcraft—a mesmerising story that weaves back and forth through time, with visions of nature more thrilling than an action scene. All credit to Irish actor Dane Whyte O’Hara for his spellbinding delivery of a story, a history, and a message that’s impossible to forget.
Maggie O’Farrell’s Land is so good it feels like witchcraft—a mesmerising story that weaves back and forth through time, with visions of nature more thrilling than an action scene. All credit to Irish actor Dane Whyte O’Hara for his spellbinding delivery of a story, a history, and a message that’s impossible to forget.
Pip Williams
Pip Williams takes us to a World War I hospital in France, where English nurse Tilda’s compassion for the enemy leads to a dangerous romance with a German doctor. Geraldine Hakewill’s nuanced narration captures Tilda’s fierce independence, the tenderness and tension of forbidden love, and the humanity beneath the horrors of war.
Pip Williams takes us to a World War I hospital in France, where English nurse Tilda’s compassion for the enemy leads to a dangerous romance with a German doctor. Geraldine Hakewill’s nuanced narration captures Tilda’s fierce independence, the tenderness and tension of forbidden love, and the humanity beneath the horrors of war.
Michael Robotham
Freed after 12 years inside, Arlo Hackett comes home to a town that hasn't softened, unspooling love, violence, and buried truth. An instant Australian noir classic, with pitch-perfect narration from Stephen Shanahan. Michael Robotham wrote this story at 22, then waited 20 bestselling books to publish it. Stephen King called it his best yet.
Freed after 12 years inside, Arlo Hackett comes home to a town that hasn't softened, unspooling love, violence, and buried truth. An instant Australian noir classic, with pitch-perfect narration from Stephen Shanahan. Michael Robotham wrote this story at 22, then waited 20 bestselling books to publish it. Stephen King called it his best yet.
Gisèle Pelicot
Gisèle Pelicot’s courage sparked a global reckoning around shame and sexual violence. With remarkable honesty, she takes us through the unimaginable betrayal that changed her life, including the complicated emotions and family relationships that followed. Emma Thompson’s extraordinary performance brings warmth and intimacy to this unforgettable memoir.
Gisèle Pelicot’s courage sparked a global reckoning around shame and sexual violence. With remarkable honesty, she takes us through the unimaginable betrayal that changed her life, including the complicated emotions and family relationships that followed. Emma Thompson’s extraordinary performance brings warmth and intimacy to this unforgettable memoir.
Benjamin Percy, Andy Weir
Anthony Mackie, John Leguizamo, Ariana DeBose, and a full cast lend inspired performances to this near-future story of survival across space and time—executive produced by Andy Weir of Project Hail Mary. Cinematic, atmospheric, and utterly unpauseable, Exoplanet is everything we want in a sci-fi thriller.
Anthony Mackie, John Leguizamo, Ariana DeBose, and a full cast lend inspired performances to this near-future story of survival across space and time—executive produced by Andy Weir of Project Hail Mary. Cinematic, atmospheric, and utterly unpauseable, Exoplanet is everything we want in a sci-fi thriller.
Patrick Radden Keefe
This year, more listeners than ever learned why Patrick Radden Keefe is the best of the best in narrative non-fiction. His flawless author narration, meticulous reporting, and exhilarating storytelling all come together in this riveting investigation of a teenager’s life and mysterious death in high-rolling London.
This year, more listeners than ever learned why Patrick Radden Keefe is the best of the best in narrative non-fiction. His flawless author narration, meticulous reporting, and exhilarating storytelling all come together in this riveting investigation of a teenager’s life and mysterious death in high-rolling London.
Patmeena Sabit
Good People harnesses the power of audio with 15 distinct narrators who bring an Afghan American family's unravelling to life. A haunting exploration of community, truth, and the stories we tell about each other, Patmeena Sabit's brilliantly structured debut novel unfolds like an immersive true crime investigation.
Good People harnesses the power of audio with 15 distinct narrators who bring an Afghan American family's unravelling to life. A haunting exploration of community, truth, and the stories we tell about each other, Patmeena Sabit's brilliantly structured debut novel unfolds like an immersive true crime investigation.
Ali Hazelwood
Ali Hazelwood delivers her signature slow-burn pining, razor-sharp banter, and a crew of side characters you’ll instantly adore. Teddy Hamilton, Brooke Bloomingdale, and a full cast bring the loveable friend group to life. This romance is an absolute delight you’ll want to replay again and again.
Ali Hazelwood delivers her signature slow-burn pining, razor-sharp banter, and a crew of side characters you’ll instantly adore. Teddy Hamilton, Brooke Bloomingdale, and a full cast bring the loveable friend group to life. This romance is an absolute delight you’ll want to replay again and again.
Dervla McTiernan
One social media post can destroy a life. Dervla McTiernan weaponises that fear: three people, three tailor-made packages built to detonate reputations. Her first thriller set in adopted-home Australia brings Melbourne’s streets to our ears. Is revenge ever justified? How easily we become judge and jury. Alison McGirr’s narration is flawless.
One social media post can destroy a life. Dervla McTiernan weaponises that fear: three people, three tailor-made packages built to detonate reputations. Her first thriller set in adopted-home Australia brings Melbourne’s streets to our ears. Is revenge ever justified? How easily we become judge and jury. Alison McGirr’s narration is flawless.
Holden Sheppard
There’s no better time to reunite with the characters from Holden Sheppard’s bestselling debut, Invisible Boys—or to reconnect with returning narrator Nic English, for that matter. This bold novel immerses listeners in the gay bars and punk scene of Perth, offering an ode to male friendship that has never felt more necessary.
There’s no better time to reunite with the characters from Holden Sheppard’s bestselling debut, Invisible Boys—or to reconnect with returning narrator Nic English, for that matter. This bold novel immerses listeners in the gay bars and punk scene of Perth, offering an ode to male friendship that has never felt more necessary.
Lisa Jewell
Featuring a hint of sound design, an original score, and a full-cast performance from Matthew Rhys, Ruth Wilson, Phoebe Dynevor, and Harriet Walter, Lisa Jewell’s All She Wants for Christmas is an absolute treat in audio. Immersive and thrilling in equal measure, it’s a Christmas story like you’ve never heard before.
Featuring a hint of sound design, an original score, and a full-cast performance from Matthew Rhys, Ruth Wilson, Phoebe Dynevor, and Harriet Walter, Lisa Jewell’s All She Wants for Christmas is an absolute treat in audio. Immersive and thrilling in equal measure, it’s a Christmas story like you’ve never heard before.
Josh Silver
In Josh Silver's wickedly fun queer thriller, everyone is a trainwreck, cat-and-mousing one another to the very last page. Jack Ayres offers a vulnerable portrayal of addiction, while Camilla Rockley transforms a writer’s desperation into a relatable but pitying charm. Together, they make this a darkly funny ride to the edge of your seat.
In Josh Silver's wickedly fun queer thriller, everyone is a trainwreck, cat-and-mousing one another to the very last page. Jack Ayres offers a vulnerable portrayal of addiction, while Camilla Rockley transforms a writer’s desperation into a relatable but pitying charm. Together, they make this a darkly funny ride to the edge of your seat.
Lynette Noni
Lynette Noni is no stranger to hooking listeners to new series, and she’s done it again with Shadow Reaper, the first of a new duology. Narrators Abigail Reno, Alex Knox, and Imani Jade Powers ensure that every moment feels cinematic, which is what Noni’s dynamic world-building deserves.
Lynette Noni is no stranger to hooking listeners to new series, and she’s done it again with Shadow Reaper, the first of a new duology. Narrators Abigail Reno, Alex Knox, and Imani Jade Powers ensure that every moment feels cinematic, which is what Noni’s dynamic world-building deserves.
Belle Burden
Heartbreak is real. When it happened to Belle Burden, it wasn’t due to the death of a person—it was the death of her marriage. An out-of-the-blue phone call informed Burden of her husband’s infidelity. She wrote her story, narrated it herself, and it touched women around the world.
Heartbreak is real. When it happened to Belle Burden, it wasn’t due to the death of a person—it was the death of her marriage. An out-of-the-blue phone call informed Burden of her husband’s infidelity. She wrote her story, narrated it herself, and it touched women around the world.
Chris Hammer
At a lavish Sorrento estate, former cop Travis Somerland is plunged into a cutthroat world of financial warfare, dynastic feuds, and fortunes worth killing for. Think Succession meets The Big Short, plus Chris Hammer’s trademark twists. Narrators Luke Arnold and Micaela Ellis bring the intrigue, danger, and deception to life.
At a lavish Sorrento estate, former cop Travis Somerland is plunged into a cutthroat world of financial warfare, dynastic feuds, and fortunes worth killing for. Think Succession meets The Big Short, plus Chris Hammer’s trademark twists. Narrators Luke Arnold and Micaela Ellis bring the intrigue, danger, and deception to life.
Caro Claire Burke
Like the unhinged, tradwife kid sister of Gone Girl’s Amy, Natalie Heller Mills was an instantly iconic anti-hero. While we argued over everything from likeability in female protags to what genre Yesteryear rightfully belongs, Rebecca Lowman claimed her crown as the voice of a villain we love to hate.
Like the unhinged, tradwife kid sister of Gone Girl’s Amy, Natalie Heller Mills was an instantly iconic anti-hero. While we argued over everything from likeability in female protags to what genre Yesteryear rightfully belongs, Rebecca Lowman claimed her crown as the voice of a villain we love to hate.
Browse our top picks
in your favourite genres
Browse our top picks
in your favourite genres
in your favourite genres
Explore more of the Best of the Year
Explore more of the Best of the Year
Our favourite interviews and podcasts, plus Narrator Hall of Fame.
A note from your editors
A note from your editors
Every year, we embark on our favourite journey: discovering the latest in extraordinary audio. We listen for thousands of hours across every genre, format, and style. Then, we turn to you. Your reviews, ratings, and passionate responses guide us as much as our own well-worn headphones do.
After months of listening, debating, and yes, occasionally arguing over favourites, we’ve arrived at this year's Audiobook of the Year, our Top 20, as well as top picks across 12 genres. The list spans solo narrations and full-cast productions, quiet character studies and epic adventures, thought leadership and intimate personal narratives. Each title earned its place through exceptional storytelling and unforgettable performances.
We hope you'll find your next favourite listen here.
The Audible Editors