The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Tom Lake

Author: Ann Patchett

Year: 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction (Dual Timeline)

More info: August 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Age Range: 15+

Plot

In the spring of 2020, Lara’s three daughters return home and beg their mother to tell the story of her romance with a movie star from long ago.

Throughout their Mom’s telling of her summer theatre experience at Tom Lake, the daughters get the long-awaited answers to questions they’ve asked for years. The whole family also re-examines their lives and relationships through the new lens of information. While this is a pandemic story, it’s more of a plot device to get the family together than anything else. So don’t expect to be triggered!

Trigger Warnings

Pandemic

Why Kirsten loves it

Ann Patchett is an amazing storyteller and I love all her books, so it’s no surprise that this story is one of my best books of 2023 picks! I was completely enchanted by this story, especially because Meryl Streep reads the audiobook version.

Find this book in: Best Books of 2023 / Novels Set on a Lake / Family Dramas / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2023 / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Author: Shelby Van Pelt

Year: 2022

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

More info: May 2022 Read with Jenna Book Club Pick
Instant New York Times Bestseller

Age Range: 12+

Plot

I haven’t read a novel with as much heart as this one in quite some time. Elderly, recently widowed Tova loves her job cleaning the aquarium in town in the quiet of the night, especially because of her fondness for Marcellus, the octopus. She finds solace in the aquarium as it makes her feel closer to her son, Erik – a marine life lover – who disappeared on a boat when he was 18.

But when she hurts herself and is unable to return to work at full capacity, she grows close with her replacement, Cameron, a young man who newly arrived in town looking for his birth mother.

Meanwhile, Marcellus knows what happened to Erik and he wants to help Tova find the closure she needs. His narration is interspersed with Tova and Cameron’s for a story that is compelling, heartwarming, and utterly unique.

I will be shoving this book into the hands of everyone who asks for a book recommendation because it’s my favorite book of 2022

Why Jackie loves it

This book has more heart than any book I have read in a long time. The unique perspective of a grumpy octopus may seem silly, but is brilliantly done and adds a unique perspective.

Why Kirsten loves it

The themes in this book, the plot, and the characters- especially Marcellus- really tugged at my heartstrings. I loved that Marcellus added some laughter and made me smile. I recently gave this book to my son and he adored it as much as I did.

Adaptation

The Netflix adaptation starring Sally Field finished filming in 2025. The movie, directed by Olivia Newman, is set to premiere in 2026.

Find this book in: Ultimate List of Feel-Good Books / Contemporary Fiction Books / Best Book Club Books / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022 / Books Becoming Movies / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

The Music Shop

Author: Rachel Joyce

Year: 2018

Genre: Literature and Fiction

More info: Named one of The Best Books of the Year by The Times (UK) and The Washington Post.

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range:16+

Plot

 Music is big in my house so this contemporary fiction book spoke to me. Frank is a man who helps everyone with their problems by giving them the music they need from his little music shop. It sells only vinyl.

When a woman faints outside his shop, Frank realizes he can’t hear the music she needs. His life changes forever. This book about music has a similar feel to Little Paris Bookshop/Perfume Collector. 

Why Jackie loves it

This book gave me such a nostalgic feel – It is set in 1988. However, the story and the plot will give you a nostalgic feel as well- when people had no cell phones and we had to turn to each other, rather than the internet, for a feeling of connection.

Find this book in: Books Set in the 80s / Books About Music / Best Audiobooks of All Time

The Hate U Give

Author: Angie Thomas

Year: 2017

Genre: YA fiction

More info: National Book Award Longlist · Printz Honor Book · Coretta Scott King Honor Book

Age Range: 15+

Plot

This fantastic and incredibly relevant young adult novel tackles the Black Lives Matter movement. Starr is straddling a line between two worlds. She attends a prestigious prep school where she is one of 2 black children in her grade but she lives in a poor neighborhood 40 minutes down the road.

She switches her personality so that she can fit in wherever she is, never truly being her whole self. When she witnesses her unarmed childhood best friend get killed by a policeman her entire life changes.

She needs to decide what to tell and to whom because her words can have dire consequences for her family and her community.

Trigger Warnings

racism, gun violence, police brutality

Why Kirsten loves it

Angie Thomas’s storytelling in this one was impressive. She was able to portray so many relevant topics in one book and put the reader in Starr’s shoes.

Why Jackie loves it

It’s a truly wonderful coming-of-age story from thought-provoking books set in high school that all young adults should read.

Find this book in: Thought Provoking Books / Best Audiobooks of all Time / Best Books Set in High School / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens

Daisy Jones & The Six

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Year: 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: March 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

The book is laid out like a VH1 Behind the Music style interview. It’s laid out in chronological order about the making of the band Daisy Jones & the Six, but the story is told in interview style from a dozen sources.

It’s a story about the music scene of the 1970s in Hollywood when the band The Six meets Daisy Jones and together they rocket to superstardom! Among the drama of touring, there is also a forbidden love story or two, and plenty of crazy parties!

It’s truly the perfect mix of historical fiction, romance, and rock ‘n’ roll.

Why Kirsten loves it

This book needs to be listened to, not read. The audio version has a different narrator for each character and the performances are stupendous. I was overcome with emotion numerous times while I was listening.

Why Jackie loves it

This celebrity fiction story about the rise and fall of one of the hottest bands of the 70s was so utterly fabulous – it’s pure sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll in all the best ways.

Find this book in: Taylor Jenkins Reid Books Ranked / Books Set in the 70s / Full Cast Audiobooks / Ultimate Beach Reads 2020 / Books With Flowers in the Title / Best Reese Witherspoon Books
Find Similar Books in: Books Like Daisy Jones & The Six

Where the Crawdads Sing Deluxe Edition

Author: Dehlia Owens

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: September 2018 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

The book begins when a body is found in a North Carolina marsh and is identified as Chase Andrews. The story moves between the past and the present to tell the story of Kya Clark, The Marsh Girl, who is a suspect in the murder.

Kya Clark, The Marsh Girl, is abandoned first by her mother, then by her siblings, and eventually by her father at a very young age. She is forced to fend for herself in the marshes, away from society.

With the help of two beloved friends, she learns to care for herself but not without experiencing cruelty and violence.  Then, she finds herself faced with murder charges and is forced to confront her secrets and past that have shaped her into the woman that she has become. 

Trigger Warnings

Abandonment, Domestic and child abuse, assault

Why Jackie loves it

I admit that when I saw the description of this coming-of-age book, I was not sold.  A trusted individual, who has never steered me wrong in the past, gave me an advanced copy so, I took the leap.  And wow, am I glad I did.  I read this book and then recommended it to everyone I knew. It is a story about love, nature, and perseverance.

Why Kirsten loves it

This is a novel that is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is part mystery and part historical fiction that shows the importance of human connections.

Find this book in: Books About Poverty and Its Impact / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Books Like Where the Crawdads Sing / Book Club for Where the Crawdads Sing/ Books with Food in the Title / Books That Will Emotionally Wreck You / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Books Set in the 1960s / The Best Audiobooks of All Time / Books Like Eleanor Oliphant

The Final Revival of Opal and Nev

Author: Dawnie Walton

Year: 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: Good Morning America Buzz Pick
Best Books of 2021 by Barack Obama, The Washington Post, Goodreads

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

This fantastic story looks at the rise and eventual breakup of an interracial punk-rock duo. It’s told in a multi-time narrative set in the 1970s and 2016 – when she’s considering reuniting with Nev. But as musical journalist Sunny digs into Opal & Nev’s history, she uncovers surprising hidden facts. With a narrative structure similar to Daisy Jones, you’ll be hooked from the very first chapter.

Trigger Warnings

Racism, violence

Why Kirsten loves it

This is the closest of the books like Daisy Jones and The Six. It’s told in an interview format and is about a band from the 70s. The comparison makes sense… and yet…

This 70s book is wonderful in its own right! No comparison is needed. It looks at sexism and racism in the music industry during this time period and is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. It is a total must-read.

Find this book in: Books Like Daisy Jones / Full Cast Audiobooks / Books About Music, Bands, and Musicians / Feel-Good Books / Epistolary Novels / Nonlinear Narrative Novels / Best Books of 2021 / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Lilac Girls

Author: Martha Hall Kelly

Year: 2016

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: Woolsey-Ferriday Series

Age Range: 16+

Plot

Based on the true story of New York socialite, Caroline Ferriday, this fictionalized account of the war is told from three perspectives.

The novel alternates between Caroline in New York, Kasia, a Polish prisoner, at Ravensbruck, and Herta, the only female doctor at that same camp.

Trigger Warnings

Nazi affiliation

Why Kirsten loves it

Herta’s perspective, she was a real doctor at Ravensbruck, was particularly fascinating to read. Hearing her thoughts left a deep impact since authors rarely write from the perspective of the Nazi party members. That perspective makes this novel unique among these books about WWII and is truly a thought-provoking book.

Find this book in: Books About WWII / Books Set in France / Thought Provoking Books / Books With a Color in the Title / Holocaust Books / Books With Flowers in the Title / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

House in the Cerulean Sea

Author: T.J Klune

Year: 2020

Genre: Fantasy

More info: Cerulean Chronicles #1

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 14+

Plot

Linus Baker is a caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He is sent on a mission to a secret orphanage isolated on an island where 6 of the world’s most dangerous youth live. 

Linus is sent to determine if the children are being cared for properly. Linus, who lives his life by the book, will have to look deeper to try and find the real answers to his questions.

Trigger Warnings

Child abuse

Why Jackie loves it

This story was so much more than the sum of its parts. I felt like I had met each of the children in the story. Even though the story has magic, it somehow seems completely relevant to our society now. The magic and the orphan aspect are all reminiscent of Harry Potter.

Find this book in: Magical Realism Books / Feel-Good Books / Book for Book Club / Books About Friendship / Books With Color in the Title / Best Beach Reads / Adult Books Similar to Harry Potter / Isolation Books / Books Like Ninth House / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto

Author: Mitch Album

Year: 2015

Genre: Magical Realism

Age Range: 14+

Plot

This is one of the best books that I have ever listened to. It is narrated by “Music” who tells the story of a magician named Frankie Presto. 

Frankie was orphaned and lived with his blind music teacher in Spain before he was sent to America with only his guitar and its size magical strings. Frankie’s music has the power to change people’s lives and every time he does, one magic string changes color. Frankie works with musical legends and eventually becomes a star himself before disappearing from the spotlight.

Why Jackie loves it

Multiple people narrate this book, which is more like a play than a book when you are listening. I loved this book and bought a copy which I lent to an unnamed person who loved it and did not return it.  My second copy has met the same fate.  Third time’s a charm? The story made me feel like I should have known Frankie along with all the great musical legends.

Find this book in: Full Cast Audiobooks / Books About Music / Magical Realism Book / Jackie’s Top 10 All-Time Favorite Books / Adult Fantasy Novels / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Lincoln in the Bardo

Author: George Saunders

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Fiction

More info: Man Booker Prize Winner

Age Range: 15+

Plot

Strange, but probably one of the most imaginative novels I have ever experienced. It’s about the night that Abraham Lincoln buried his son and takes place entirely in the cemetery.

Trigger Warnings

Child Death

Why Kirsten loves it

I listened to this full cast audiobook which was great because it used 166 voices including David Sedaris, Lena Dunham, Ben Stiller, Julianne Moore, Susan Sarandon, Kat Dennings, and Don Cheadle among others. As ghost books go, this one is not to be missed! it’s truly one of the best fantasy audiobooks ever! If you are looking for a book for fall, this pick is fantastic.

Find this book in: Fiction With a Funeral /Best Audiobooks / Best Full Cast Audiobooks / Best Ghost Stories / Best Books of 2017 / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Author: Anthony Doerr

Year: 2021

Genre: Literary Fiction

More info: National Book Award Finalist
Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author

Age Range: 14+

Plot

I don’t know how to begin to describe this book. This is NOTHING like All The Light We Cannot See and yet, I absolutely loved it. It is part historical fiction, part sci-fi, and absolutely amazing.

The book is set in Constantinople in the fifteenth century, Five hundred years later in a library in Idaho and in a spaceship traveling to a new planet sometime in the near future. Even while trying to describe this book, it does not seem to go together and yet, the story of Cloud Cuckoo Land (a story within the Novel) acts as the glue that brings the characters together. The result is an amazing sci-fi book with a very powerful message.

This is not an easy read but is well worth it.

Trigger Warnings

War, school shooting

Why Jackie loves it

I loved this unique sci-fi historical fiction novel. The story within the story was woven perfectly throughout. I think people will either LOVE this book or hate it. But the mark of a good book is one that will be remembered and talked about.

Find this book in: Nonlinear Narrative Novels / 20 Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / The Best Audiobooks of All Time / Books about Libraries / Best Books of 2021 / The Best Long Books

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Author: J. K Rowling

Year: 1998

Genre: Middle-Grade fantasy

More info: Harry Potter #1 of 7

Age Range: 8+ (note that some of the later books in the series may not be appropriate until a bit older)

Plot

I was in university when this book was published and the first four were sitting on my younger brother’s bookshelf before I picked it up to see what the fuss was about. I read all four books in as many days and was married with a child before the final book was published. 

This story introduces us to Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger; our fearless trio.  We also meet the other favorite beloved and detested characters that make the Harry Potter book series so special. After all, what would Hogwarts be without Hagrid, Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Draco Malfoy?

Trigger Warnings

Parental death

Why Jackie loves it

I firmly believe that JK Rowling changed children’s literature more profoundly than any other author. I realize that this is a very strong statement. But, until her, there have never been books that have had such an impact on the world of reading. The books are so brilliantly laid out with easter eggs in book one that are essential for the entire plot. I believe this is one of the best fantasy series ever written.

Why Kirsten loves it

In my opinion, this is the best children’s fantasy series ever written. It features strong lessons on morality, inventive plotlines, and hidden threads woven throughout the entire series. Jim Dale’s audiobook narration of this book is award-winning. He voices over 200 characters, each with distinct accents and my kids have listened to the entire series multiple times.

Adaptations

While this beloved series has already been made into an 8 movie series starring Daniel Ratcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, Warner Brothers is currently turning into a TV series as well.

Find this book in: Halloween Chapter Books / Audiobooks for Kids / Harry Potter Books in Order / Books like Percy Jackson / Fantasy Books for Tweens / Magic School Books / Jackie’s Favorite Books / Kirsten’s Favorite Books / Books to Read Aloud / Books with Magic Schools for Kids / Full Cast Audiobooks for Kids

Thank You for Listening

Author: Julia Whelan

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

Spice Rating:💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Sewanee Chester is a former actress and audiobook narrator who has been chosen to read alongside the romance world’s biggest male audiobook reader for a new series.

As she falls for the mysterious Brock, who lives across the country and only communicates via text, she can’t stop thinking about her one-night stand in Vegas.

Additionally, she’s navigating a grandmother with Alzheimer’s and a possible chance to relaunch her acting career. But now that the dreams she had for so are in her grasp, are they really what she wants? And why does she feel so drawn to Brock?

Trigger Warnings

Dementia

Why Kirsten loves it

Julia Whelan is my favorite audiobook narrator and I loved her debut book, so I eagerly plunged into this one. It is definitely one of the best romantic comedy books I have read in a while.

Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Rom Com Books / Complete List of Romance Tropes / Romance Books About Books / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Love on the Brain

Author: Ali Hazelwood

Year: 2022

Genre: Romance

More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Bee is a brilliant and unconventional scientist who lives by a strict code “What would Marie Curie Do?” She even has a secret Twitter account to help other female scientists in a male-dominated workplace.

When she is offered her dream job at NASA, she cannot wait to start until she realizes that she is not the lead scientist. She is the co-lead with her work nemesis Levi Ward. To make matters worse, he seems to be sabotaging everything that she tries to do. Could there be a better pick for enemies-to-lovers books?

Trigger Warnings

Strong Sexual Content

Why Jackie loves it

Ali Hazelwood does an amazing job of writing fantastic romances while still including the struggles that women have to deal with daily.

Find this book in: Office Romances / Beach Reads 2023 / Ali Hazelwood Books Ranked / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Author: Emily Henry

Year: 2021

Genre: Romance

More info: #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Spice Rating:💋💋

Age Range:18+

Plot

Do you believe Harry (from When Harry Met Sally) when he said “Women and men can’t be friends”?

We are sure think he’s wrong, but one of our favorite tropes is friends to lovers. People We Met on Vacation is the latest beach read from Emily Henry and it’s addicting.

Poppy has been best friends with Alex since a car ride home from college a decade ago. Since then, they’ve gone on vacation together every year until 2 years ago when it all came crashing down.

Will they recover their friendship with one more trip or will their relationship be irrevocably ruined? This is the perfect beach, poolside read, or vacation read. You should be sure to add it to your summer reading romance books list. And if you are looking for the best friends-to-lovers romance novel, this is it.

Why Jackie loves it

This is one of the best friends to lovers romances I have read. I love the way Emily Henry’s books. The stories are so relatable and utterly charming

Adaptation Information

Tom Blythe and Emily Bader are set to star in the Netflix movie adaptation which will be out on January 9, 2026. Sarah Catherine Hook, Lukas Gage, Lucien Laviscount, and Jameela Jamil have also joined the cast.

Find this book in: Friends to Lovers Romance Books / Books Like People We Meet on Vacation / Books Becoming Movies / Ultimate Beach Reads 2021 / Emily Henry Books Ranked / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

The Appeal

Author: Janice Hallett

Year: 2022

Genre: Thriller

More info: International Bestseller
Best Book of 2022 by The New York Times
Crime Writer Association New Blood Dagger Award

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

I was utterly charmed by this unique murder mystery book! The premise is great – a detective duo has been given a stack of correspondence (text and emails) and asked to read through and determine who was murdered, why, and who was wrongly accused.

Of course, we readers get to come along for the ride – reading their post-it notes or texts to each other as they try to solve the mystery. I was desperately trying to solve it along with them but I was stumped!

The ending was truly shocking and the many twists and turns had me flying through the story. I read part of it and listened to part. Both formats make for a wonderful experience! This is one I’ll be recommending this pick from the ultimate list of mystery books for years to come!

Trigger Warnings

Cancer

Why Kirsten loves it

This is the first of Janice Hallett’s book and it firmly placed her in the “must-read” author category. The format of this book is brilliant and her other books are equally entertaining, well-written, and brilliantly plotted.

Find this book in: Detective Books / The Ultimate List of Mystery Books / British Mystery Books/ Epistolary Novels / Janice Hallett Books in Order / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Saint X

Author: Alexis Schaitkin

Year: 2020

Genre: Thriller

More info: A New York Times Notable Book of 2020

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

⁣I wasn’t sure what to expect from Saint X. I think I was suspecting a thriller or a mystery because the story opens with an 18-year-old girl who dies on her tropical vacation with her family. Her then-7-year-old sister, Claire, is our narrator. Now in her 20s, after a chance meeting with someone connected to the case, Claire is trying to figure out exactly what happened all those years ago.⁣

The story is also peppered with accounts from a few other key people in the case. Each one of these players is a different narrator which just made the entire production feel real. ⁣But it doesn’t quite fit into one genre. It’s also a book about the relationship between sisters, even those separated for years.

Why Kirsten loves it

Don’t you feel that some books are just meant to be listened to and not read?⁣ That’s how I felt about Daisy Jones & The Six, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, Echo, and now Saint X. Each of these full-cast audiobooks brings the novel to life. The other thing I love about this story is the subtle commentary on race and class woven throughout.

Why Jackie loves it

This is a well-written book that is as much a mystery as it is a thriller. I did not anticipate what would happen in this book and I love that in a story. The audiobook is a fantastic listen!

Find this book in: Books Like People We Meet on Vacation / About Sisters and Bonds of Sisterhood / Full Cast Audiobooks / Books Set in Tropical Locations / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

The Wife Between Us

Author: Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

Year: 2018

Genre: Thriller

More info: Instant New York Times Bestseller

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Everything that you think you know in this book is just an assumption. You can assume that you are wrong. I cannot say much about this book because I do not want to spoil anything but, it is such a perfect domestic thriller.

Warning: do not start it if you don’t have time to finish it. Nellie is so excited about her upcoming wedding that is just days away. She cannot shake the feeling that someone is following her. At first glance, this is a thriller about a jealous ex-wife and the woman who is replacing her.

Why Kirsten loves it

This is a psychological thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat and question what you think you know! I love that the plot seemed clear and yet I could not shake the feeling I was missing something the entire time. I was definitely on the wrong track.

Why Jackie loves it

The plot seems pretty straightforward when you start reading the book but then there are hints that things are not exactly what they seem to be. I did not understand the full story until the end of this thrilling book and loved every minute.

Find this book in: Unreliable Narrator Books / Popular Thriller Books/ Best Psychological Thriller Books / The 20 Best Books of 2018 / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Listen for the Lie

Author: Amy Tintera

Year: 2024

Genre: Thriller

More info: March 2024 Good Morning America Book Club Pick

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 16+

Plot

2024 is the year of the thriller and this one doesn’t disappoint! Lucy is returning to her hometown for the first time since she was accused, but never charged, with murdering her best friend Savvy 5 years ago.

She has no memories of the night Savvy died, but she needs answers for herself. So she decides to team up with true crime podcaster, Ben Owens, to discover the truth – even if she’s implicated in the process.

Ben is real-time podcasting the whole investigation and his interviews are interspersed between chapters, revealing new insights each time.

Trigger Warnings

Domestic Abuse, murder

Why Jackie loves it

This is one mystery/thriller that is even better in audiobook format! The background noises and interviews bring the podcast to life. #gifted by Macmillan Audio

Why Kirsten loves it

I felt like I was in the story investigating it myself. I can’t emphasis enough that this one is best consumed by listening. Like Jackie noted, the audiobook adds elements not available in print. I will say I couldn’t figure out the ending on this one and was completely surprised by who committed the murder!

Find this book in: Best Audiobooks / Best Beach Reads 2024 / New Mystery Books of 2024 /Epistolary Novels / Nonlinear Narrative Novels /Best Books of 2024 / Amnesia Books / GMA Book Club List 2024

I’m Glad My Mom Died

Author: Jennette McCurdy

Year: 2022

Genre: Memoir

Spice Rating:💋

Age Range: 18+

Plot

Jeanette Mccurdy, star of the shows iCarly and Sam and Cat, has written her heartbreaking memoir. Forced into acting at 6 years old by a mentally ill and unstable mother, Jeanette lived her life trying to make her mother happy. The result was an eating disorder, addiction, and abuse.

Trigger Warnings

Eating disorders, Child abuse, Emotional abuse

Why Jackie loves it

I listened to this coming-of-age book and found it hard to put down but also extremely difficult to listen to at times because it is such a sad book.

Adaptation

Jennifer Aniston is on board to produce and star in the adaptation of McCurdy’s memoir. McCurdy will co-produce and she is writing the script with Ari Katcher for Apple Tv.

Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Books About Mental Illness / Books that Will Make You Cry / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Best Nonfiction Books / Books Becoming Movies / The Best Audiobooks of All Time

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew

Authors: Emmanuel Acho and Noa Tishby

Year: 2024

Genre: Nonfiction

Age Range: 14+

Plot

Emmanuel Acho is back with a book that was in the making months before the October 7th massacre in Israel. Within the pages of this book, Acho and Tishby seek to explain the root of Jewish stereotypes and the history of Jewish persecution, while mending the bridges between the Black and Jewish communities.

The audiobook version is even better than the book as there is more content and the conversation is so natural. This book is a primer on how we got to this point in history again and how we can come together through education and mutual respect.

Why Jackie loves it

The frank and sometimes funny conversations between Acho and Tishby are exactly what our world needs right now. I loved how they tackled the hard stuff, answering the hard questions with grace and humor. It’s a wonderful resource for Jewish people in the current climate but is most important for non-Jewish allies and naysayers.

Find this book in: Jewish Writers / Best Audiobooks / Best New Nonfiction Books of 2024

Becoming

Author: Michele Obama

Year: 2018

Genre: Nonfiction

More info: November 2018 Oprah’s Book Club Pick

Age Range: 15+

Plot

I am so happy that I finally read this book. Michelle Obama is a brilliant woman who has such an incredible story to tell.  I was intrigued by her life and her upbringing.

I listened to this book and was so happy to hear the story read by Obama herself. Obama is a brilliant woman and it was a pleasure to hear her story told in her voice. There is something about her voice that is so calming and soothing.

Why Kirsten loves it

This is one of my favorite non-fiction books about women in politics. As nonfiction books go, this one is a must.

Why Jackie loves it

I also listened to this one and I think the audio version is a must. I loved hearing this book read by the former first lady!

Find this book in: Feel Good Nonfiction Books / Books about Women in Politics / Books by BIPOC Female Authors / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books / Celebrity Memoirs / Best Nonfiction Books / The Best Audiobooks of All Time