Best of 2021.

This was a year of challenges and triumphs, disappointment and hope. So, we’ve crunched the data and heard from our members to select this definitive list of the best audiobooks that informed, inspired and entertained Australians through 2021.

This was a year of challenges and triumphs, disappointment and hope. So, we’ve crunched the data and heard from our members to handpick this definitive list of the best audiobooks that informed, inspired and entertained us through 2021.

Literature & Fiction pick

Beautiful World, Where Are You

Narrated by: Aoife McMahon
Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins
Unabridged
4 out of 5 stars 3.9 (647 ratings)
This choice might ruffle feathers, but there’s no denying the potency of Rooney’s contemplative writing coupled with the masterful world-building of Aoife McMahon (undoubtedly one of the best narrators in the game). The story is a triumph in nuanced character building and an accomplished meditation on the stumbling blocks faced by particular sections of society.

Non-Fiction pick

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster

The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need
Narrated by: Wil Wheaton, Bill Gates
Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins
Unabridged
4.5 out of 5 stars 4.7 (725 ratings)
One of the most savvy and philanthropic businessmen on Earth has turned his attention to solving humanity’s most calamitous challenge of the 21st Century – this audiobook is his vision on how to achieve it. Compelling, clear, entertaining and accessible to all, this will be a blueprint for the change we need in the world. Don’t miss it.

Biographies & Memoirs pick

The Storyteller

Tales of Life and Music
Narrated by: Dave Grohl
Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
Unabridged
5 out of 5 stars 4.9 (3,657 ratings)
This rock-and-roll-legend-slash-all-round-great-dude stole our collective hearts in 2021. The lead singer of Foo Fighters and former drummer of Nirvana opens up about his incredible life story – beautifully humanising a god-like figure in modern music. Expect wild stories coupled with thoughtful self-reflection and an emotive narration that makes you feel part of Grohl’s exclusive inner circle.

Science Fiction & Fantasy pick

Project Hail Mary

By: Andy Weir
Narrated by: Ray Porter
Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins
Unabridged
5 out of 5 stars 4.8 (13,169 ratings)
Imagine you’re in space... the fate of the world rests on your shoulders.. and you have no memory of who you are or how you got there. Welcome to Project Hail Mary. A propulsive plot combined with well-researched space/engineering expertise creates an absolute cracker of a listen. This audiobook is a riot of fun from start to finish while seamlessly exploring some massive existential questions. Warm and approachable narration guides the listener through a myriad of entertaining challenges, making you fell like you're stuck in the world’s greatest escape room.

Mystery, Crime & Thrillers pick

The Last Thing He Told Me

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman
Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
Unabridged
4 out of 5 stars 4.2 (3,254 ratings)
Before Reece Witherspoon turns this into a TV series starring Jennifer Garner, do yourself a favour and listen to this audiobook. The richness of the descriptions, gripping insight into characters and immersive narration is not something that could ever be truly captured in words here or on screen as a show. There's a reason everyone is talking about this audiobook, get into this breakthrough hit now.

Self Development pick

How to Do the Work

Recognise Your Patterns, Heal From Your Past and Create Your Self
Narrated by: Courtney Patterson
Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins
Unabridged
4.5 out of 5 stars 4.7 (692 ratings)
There’s a lot of information out there about self-healing, but no author has come nearly as close as psychologist Dr Nicole LePera in bringing a diverse range of elements together into one holistic system. Based in sound psychological practice and research, this audiobook provides listeners with the tools to understand themselves through a clinical lens and apply solutions to real-world challenges. ‘Life-changing’ seems a clichéd description to use, but it’s hard to define it any other way.

Romance pick

The Stand-In

By: Lily Chu
Narrated by: Phillipa Soo
Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins
Original Recording
4.5 out of 5 stars 4.5 (2,086 ratings)
Some stories are pure joy. If there ever existed an audio remedy to the total downer parts of 2021, The Stand-In would be a contender. Protagonist with a famous actresses doppelganger – check. The “most attractive and infuriating” man ever – yep. Expert narration by one of the stars of Hamilton – true! Included in your Audible membership for free – uhuh. What more do we need to say?
See more in the Audible Plus Catalogue