Better when heard/Eardrum reads!
A list of books that are better in audio most definitely. This will be an ongoing list that I will update as and when I find a worthy candidate. There is a mix of genres so there's something for everyone. Please add books you think would fit in the comments as well.
Note : Warbreaker only in the Dramatized audio version Note 2: This is a subjective experience to an extent so please leave recs in if you like something and it's not here .
created by Elfundertheshelf
last updated February, 2026
Comments
On the off chance you want recs, I would recommend The Themis Files (first book is Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel. I love a full cast audiobook.
Yes all the recs ! Because I'm very picky with my audio and I trust the eardrums of the PB people! Which is why I always write in my description to add recs/books you think will fit in the comments! THANK YOU đđ
Ah, good! I scanned the description and didn't see the request for recs, and didn't want to just assume you wanted them :P
All the recs ! Recs are good đââïžđ
piggy backing off the recs⊠The Raven Scholar is a fabulous audiobook!
Oh nice ! I've got it on my eyeball reads tbr !
eardrum reads!!!! what a cute term!!!!
Ahahah it's inspired from the "eyeball" reads i think Jen(?) coined
lol I have definitely called it "eyeball reads and earball reads" đ€Ł
Yes ! It feels like I'm using my senses to its max capacity đđ
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar is one of the most amazing audiobooks Iâve read. It has singing and background noise like water moving in a river and wind in the trees. Absolutely magical!
Oh absolutely brilliant rec I've heard that too I have the physical on my tbr so that's my cue. On that note I will add The Penelopiad to the list as well !
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter and Yellowface are both fantastic as audiobooks
Thank you ! I love that my tbr books are being recommended that way I can update this list sooner than later but yes I have heard good things about The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, and unfortunately I've eyeball read Yellowface đ€§
Awesome, looking forward to the former even more now!
I've read the the A Good Girl's Guide To Murder series as audiobooks and I loved it. I would recommend the UK version specifically. Because of the interviews format, it's definitely interesting to listen to.
First of all THAT USERNAME IS A WIN ! HELLO ZAZOU HOW'S SIMBA DOING ?
Also, thank you ! I think mysteries and thrillers have been blessed by the introduction of audiobooks truly !
hahaha Simba is as mischievous as ever, he's always looking for trouble. Your user name is so creative too, what's the elf doing under the shelf?
I love listening to audiobook as I can get so much more reading done, so thank you for this list because good narration does matter when choosing what to read next. Listening to this specific book made me want to read more mysteries and thillers.
The Elf lives under the shelf in a tiny corner looking like this : đ„č and an elf hat. I have always said it's easier to spot dust on my bookshelves from under there . So dusting! Absolutely! I love a good audiobook in fact some of these books I've read years and years ago and they still stuck vividly because of how good the narrative style was
Would you recommend the dramatized version of All Systems Red, or the regular one? My library (Hoopla) has both right now đ
I am just a general fan of the Dramatized version because of the music and the ambience it creates where I can zone out peacefully, but I have also heard that it distracts some people. So I recommend the dramatised version, but since you have both, no harm in trying which fits better
I loved both The Everlasting and The Raven Scholar as Audiobooks. I tandem read the Raven Scholar and it was a fantastic experience.
This app will singlehandedly make me read The Everlasting and betray all my other books â I am threatened every single day !
tress of the emerald see as the graphic audio audiobook needs to be here!!! it's literally the best đ€©đ€©đ€©
This is good authority! Yes ! I feel like all Sanderson or most of it is better when on dramatized audio tbh
Berlin Alexanderplatz! Iâm 100% sure the only reason I was able to a)engage with and b)love such a challenging book is because of the way the reader so fully grasped the rhythm of the writing. One of the times I was most aware of the skill of an audiobook narrator.
Okay I am all ears đđ» this is going into my tBR thank you ! I will report back I promise! And thank you !
Yay! I hope you find it rewarding, whenever you get to it.
Absolutely! I read the blurb it's pretty interesting!
i personally loved "these violent delights" by micah neveremer because of the audiobook. i had to dnf it when i was reading it with my eyes but the audiobook made it one of my favorite books! i dont remember it having special effects per say- but the narrator does such an amazing job at showing the very contrasting two main characters and their tones, which was important because of it being very character driven! also "raybearer" by jordan ifueko had wonderful singing and instrumentals (the narrator was also so amazing at showing tone)
Thank you for the rec ! I don't think sound effects of special things make the audiobook good either, yes it surely adds to the experience especially in fantasy but the foundation is still on the narrator. For example, The Ballad of Perilous Graves I was very interested in the audio because it had jazz music but the narrator and I were not vibing hence I could not listen to it .
Talonsister and Titanchild duology by Jen Williams Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman How to Defeat the Demon King in 10 Easy Steps by Andrew Rowe (think I'm remembering author's name right)
All fantastic audiobooks đ€©
You know I never see Jen Williams talked about enough so thank you !!
She's fast becoming my favourite author đ love how she writes and absolutely agree she deserves much more spotlight than she gets! đ
You know what my biggest flex in this life time is ? Some cool authors follow my tiny little instagram existence and she is one of them. Why ? How ? To what have I been granted this blessing ? No idea but I'll keep it . Also I am looking forward to reading "The Sleepless" by her . It's YA i believe
That is an enviable flex and I respect it đ«Ą I could never! đ€Ł
I haven't read that yet, been waning with my interest in YA lately... but I could be convinced for my fairly newfound Jen Williams loyalty đ€.... Just hoping it's something that gets others to read more of her works! đ
I'm sure her hand slipped considering I post once in 20 millennia, with my rag tag group of 100 people who see it đđđ but I cherish it nonetheless ! Also yes! I'm waiting for the day she becomes a slow but steady phenomenon like T kingfisher
The city we became by N.K. Jemisin is an incredible audiobook! And its sequel too
Oh! I have to jump on the Nk Jemisin piggyback soon thank you !
LOVE seeing two of the Saint of Steel books already on here since the T. Kingfisher fantasy books I've listened to have excellent narration. I have a few recs for your consideration!
More T. Kingfisher: Paladin's Hope and Paladin's Faith narrated by Joel Richards Clockwork Boys + The Wonder Engine narrated by Khristine Hvam Swordheart and its upcoming sequel Daggerbound narrated by Jesse Vilinsky
Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings, narrated by New Orleans native Gralen Bryant Banks. He has an oral storytelling style of narration that's unlike every other typical audiobook experience I've had so far.
Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz, narrated by Em Grosland. I hated this book, would recommend it to no one, and find it unbelievable anyone labels it as cozy with all the content and problematic themes, but the narrator did an amazing job with so many non-human personalities that it deserves a mention.
A Tempest of Tea and A Steeping of Blood by Hafah Faizal, narrated by Maya Saroya
Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen, narrated by Emily Tucker. Seriously might be THE best audiobook experience I've had so far. The mc's twin sister is writing letters to her while mentally unraveling and the believbility and emotion Tucker puts into those parts, as well as the rest of the book, are incredible.
The Best Worst Christmas by Kate Forster, narrated by Rachel Tidd
Anything written by Rachel Maddow if she narrates it. I've only listened to Prequel and normally this material would be super dry, but her reading her own writing adds a spark of something that keeps it pretty engaging.
I only listened to a little bit of Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel so far but love the extra magic Sneha Mathan is adding with the narration.
Carmilla by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu, narrated by Tracey Childes
I've also heard people talk about the Locked Tomb trilogy (Gideon the Ninth, etc. by Tamsyn Muir and narrated by Moira Quirk being an incredible experience.
Absolutely love that you made this list cause I'm always looking for great narrators.
Most T kingfishers I've read are on audio and they all have excellent narrative styles. Love the choices thank you . Ballad of Perilous Graves I personally was not a fan of though :(
