‘I’m obsessed with audiobooks, here are 8 of the best I’ve ever heard.'

Audiobook listeners are like a secret club. Or maybe we're like Fight Club. 

The first rule is you don't talk about or ask about audiobooks. Because every single time you do, you'll have reading traditionalists piping up.

'I can't get into audiobooks!'

'You need a book you can hold in your hand!'

'Listening to audiobooks isn't reading!'

Yep, we've heard it all before. 

I get it. I was like these haters once upon a time. But then I listened to an incredible audiobook and I've never looked back. 

I now listen to a new audiobook at least once a month. I listen at night in bed instead of reading, which gives my eyes a nice break from a day staring at my laptop screen. I also listen on my commute to work, on long flights or any time, really — audiobooks make life a little more interesting. 

Below, I've rounded up my favourite audiobooks... ever.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman.

Narrated by Cathleen McCarron.

Image: Amazon. 

Set in Glasgow, Scotland, this book is centred around Eleanor Oliphant, a social misfit struck down by alcoholism, loneliness and a traumatic past who goes on a transformational journey. 

This is the first audiobook I ever tried, it remains one of the absolute best and sparked my love of audiobooks.

A good audiobook should enhance the reading experience, and this performance by Cathleen McCarron is so damn effective. As the narrative is told through a thick Scottish accent, Eleanor's voice ascends from the page. 

Listening time: 11 hours, 36 minutes. 

How to Murder Your Life: A Memoir by Cat Marnell.

Narrated by Cat Marnell. 

Image: Amazon. 

Cat Marnell had everything. She was the beauty editor of a magazine in New York City, and from the outside, lived a glamorous life as an It Girl, but because of trauma, mental health struggles and addiction — she destroyed her life. 

This book is basically a how-to manual on blowing your career up in a big way. 

I'm a sucker for a messy memoir and Cat's is the messiest. There's something about hearing a memoir in the writer's own voice that just hits so much harder. Cat's approach to reading is bubbly, animated and hilarious (like legit, sometimes she screams and yells), which is necessary light relief during some of the darker moments explored in this book.  

Listening time: 11 hours, 58 minutes. 

The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

Narrated by Donna Tartt.

Image: Amazon. 

This critically acclaimed novel is set in New England at the small, exclusive university Hampden College, where newcomer Richard enrols in a mysterious class that only accepts a limited group of students. 

This book is pure escapism with a hefty dose of murder, intrigue, and unexpected twists. 

There's something about hearing Donna reading her own words that's a transportive experience. At first, I actually didn't think this was the author's voice because it sounded like a professional narrator. The androgynous tone of her voice, the childlike innocence she conveys, and the Southern drawl all elevate this story. 

Just a quick warning: this is not a brief listen, it's a bit of a commitment running for 22 hours. 

Yes, that's a lot of time. No, it won't feel that long. I'd recommend saving for a long flight or as a holiday listen. I listened to it for a family holiday which involved a lot of long drives around country Victoria and it truly made the trip, as I felt completely transported to the halls of Hampden College on each car ride — I couldn't stop listening. 

Listening time: 22 hours, 4 minutes. 

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears.

Narrated by Michelle Williams. 

Image: Amazon. 

This autobiography doesn't need much introduction as The Memoir of 2023. Britney Spears is speaking in her own words for the very first time, recounting her rise to pop superstardom, her relationship with Justin Timberlake, and being forced into and eventually freed from her controversial conservatorship.

The Woman In Me is a great read no matter what form it's in: it's honest, it's revealing, and it's written with a lot of empathy and understanding. But as an audiobook, read by Michelle Williams, it's even more enthralling with the way the actress gives even more emotional weight to some of Britney's more harrowing experiences. 

Listening time: 5 hours, 31 minutes. 

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell.

Narrated by Nicola Walker and Louise Brealey.

Image: Amazon. 

None Of This Is True follows popular podcaster Alix who crosses paths with Josie on a night out as both women celebrate their 45th birthdays. This sets in motion a sequence of events that has Alix and Josie join forces for their own podcast series, but as the book title foreshadows, can Alix actually trust what she's being told?

I'm a sucker for a trashy thriller and this is one of the best. What sets this book apart is just how much it works as an audiobook, I'd argue even more than as a book. 

Between the different women having contrasting voices and energies, and then the podcast segments starting with theme music and new voices from the hosts and interview subjects, the entire production draws the listener in.

Listening time: 10 hours, 14 minutes. 

Gotta Get Theroux This by Louis Theroux.

Narrated by Louis Theroux.

Image: Amazon. 

If you're a fan of Louis Theroux's TV shows and films, then this is a must-read. Charting the documentary-maker's humble beginnings as a presenter on Michael Moore's TV Nation to getting his own BBC series, this book is funny, revealing, insightful, thoughtful and witty. 

It's made all the better by being read aloud and performed by Theroux, who injects his trademark sarcasm, self-deprecating humour, and awkward delivery into every page. 

Listening time: 13 hours, 21 minutes. 

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid.

Narrated by Nicole Lewis.

Image: Amazon. 

This sensational debut from author Kiley Reid is set around 25-year-old African-American college graduate Emira who starts babysitting for Alix, a wealthy blogger and public speaker in her early thirties.

Nicole Lewis narrates this book beautifully, switching seamlessly between Emira's down-to-earth voice and Alix's snobbish tone. At just under 10 hours, it's the perfect length for a return flight to Bali — just an idea! 

Listening time: 9 hours, 58 minutes. 

The Wrong Knickers: A Decade of Chaos by Bryony Gordon.

Narrated by Sophie Bleasdale.

Image: Amazon. 

This is the first memoir from The Telegraph columnist, Bryony Gordon, which offers a hilarious depiction of the misfalls of dating in London, while exploring the expectations women have for their twenties which are rarely met.

As an audiobook, this is what I imagine it would be like if Bridget Jones started a podcast when she was 25. It's charming, it's hilarious, it's relatable, and while listening, you'll feel like you're talking to your favourite friend. 

This is just an A+ audiobook.  

Listening time: 7 hours, 15 minutes. 

Feature image: Amazon.