Listen up! These beautifully narrated stories will make your hot girl walks all the more entertaining.
15 Audiobooks That Are Even Better Than the Print Version
Listen up! These beautifully narrated stories will make your hot girl walks all the more entertaining.
We can't deny that we adore the experience of sitting down for a good reading session. Holding a book and turning the pages will always hold a special place in our hearts. But storytelling goes far beyond just reading printed words. What if we told you that there are audiobooks that not only match but surpass the charm of their printed versions?
Audiobooks allow for a different kind of experience with reading, one that’s more convenient in a fast-paced world – they can be listened to anytime and anywhere! A good narrator can bring characters to life with distinct voices, tones, and emotions, that enhance the overall storytelling experience in a way that printed words alone can't.
Whether it’s something to listen to on your commute to work, something to keep you entertained while you clean the house, or a story to enjoy on your hot girl walks, audiobooks can make the most mundane experiences a delight. Here are our favourites.
1. Glossy: Ambition, Beauty and the Inside Story of Emily Weiss’ Glossier, by Maris Meltzer
Go inside the world of Glossier with this riveting read about one of the most talked about beauty startups in the world, from journalist Marisa Meltzer. The book is excellent – there are juicy details about everything from what’s on Emily Weiss’ bookshelf to the culture inside Glossier during its rapid growth and the strategy they employed to build buzz around their cult-like products.
But it’s particularly great in audio form. Narrated by Cassandra Medcalf, the audiobook feels like a podcast you can binge while washing your face with Milky Jelly Cleanser, applying your Boy Brow, and then finishing off with a spritz of Glossier You before heading to the office.
2. The Summer I Turned Pretty, by Jenny Han
If you loved the show and are keen to spend more time in Jenny Han’s delicious world, might we recommend the audiobook of this charming series? The three novels are narrated by Lola Tung, who plays Belly in the show, and listening to her is just a delight – her smile leaps out of the speakers. While reading the books might feel a little too young adult, the audio version feels a bit more grown up.
And if you’re thinking of skipping the first two books and jumping right into the third in anticipation of the new season… we’d advise against it. The books deviate enough from the show that you’ll want to start from the beginning.
3. Everything I Know About Love, by Dolly Alderton
If you’ve ever listened to The High Low, you’ll know how lovely it is listening to Dolly Alderton speak. In her memoir, Everything I Know About Love, the writer and podcaster takes us on a rollicking journey through her life, from her childhood in suburban London to her twenties in a Camden sharehouse and beyond.
Laugh-out-loud funny, wise, heartbreaking and tender, this book is about love in all its forms – take a listen on your next hot-girl walk.
4. The Woman In Me, by Britney Spears
Few books were as highly anticipated this year as Britney Spears' memoir. And for good reason.
This is the book that details, in her own words, her experience successfully fighting the conservatorship held over her for more than a decade, and emerging on the other side. It's a brave and moving story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope.
This is Britney’s story, in Britney’s words, read by Michelle Williams, and we will be listening.
5. Untamed, by Glennon Doyle
An audiobook, especially a memoir, read by the author is always something special, and Untamed is no exception. Glennon Doyle’s rallying cry for women to let their light shine, show up as their full selves and not apologise for their feelings made waves around the world upon its release, and it’s still as relevant today as it was in 2020.
Whether you’re a mother, daughter, sister or wife, you’ll find wisdom in this powerful read – made even more profound by Glennon’s performance.
6. Born a Crime, Trevor Noah
If this is the first audiobook you listen to, it will set the bar high. In this collection of 18 personal essays, South African comedian Trevor Noah shares what his childhood was like during the final decade of Apartheid and beyond.
Trevor shares personal anecdotes, stories, and reflections on his youth, providing readers with a unique and consistently humorous perspective on the challenges he faced due to his racial identity as a son of a Black mother and a white father.
7. Spare, by Prince Harry
If you need a way to fill the Royal hole in your life once The Crown airs its final episodes in December, put Spare on your audiobook list. Narrated by the Duke of Sussex himself, this tell-all autobiography details Prince Harry’s own experiences within the Royal Family, from his childhood, to the aftermath of Diana’s death, his time in the army, his love affair with Meghan and the very public family rift that followed.
If you’re yet to pick up Spare, pop your in headphones this summer and get listening to one of the most controversial books of the year.
8. Educated, by Tara Westover
Another breathtaking memoir, Educated takes us into the mountains of rural Idaho where Tara Westover was raised as part of a survivalist Mormon family. Both schools and hospitals were forbidden by her extremist father, so Tara was (haphazardly) educated at home, and had her many injuries (borne out of working in her family’s junkyard) were treated by her mother with herbalism.
Intelligent and curious, Tara begins to educate herself, and eventually, miraculously, ends up at Cambridge University, where everything she’s ever learned – about family, faith and the facts of life – is called into question.
Educated isn’t exactly a light read, but it’s warm, fascinating and big-hearted, and audio is the perfect way to enjoy the strange and riveting story that’ll have you hooked right from the start.
9. Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari
If you tried (and failed) to read Sapiens back when everyone was talking about it in 2019, the audiobook might be your ticket. It’s an extraordinary read about ‘the history of humankind’, by academic Yuval Noah Harari, which everyone from Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg has recommended.
But it’s dense. And long. And while we love the idea of turning the pages of this tome while prone on a sun lounger, listening to it definitely makes it more accessible. Narrated by Derek Perkins, it’s an ideal listen for a long walk or deep house clean – you’ll need to pay attention!
10. Bossypants, by Tina Fey
If you're an SNL, 30 Rock, or a Mean Girls fan, or just someone who wants a laugh, you'll fall in love with Tina Fey's hilarious memoir. Narrated by the comedian herself, this laugh-out-loud series of autobiographical essays shares various moments in her life from childhood to adulthood, including her time at SNL, her impersonation of Sarah Palin during the 2008 presidential election, and her perspectives on motherhood, and work-life balance.
Hearing a comedian deliver their lines versus reading them on a page is an entirely difference experience, and her jokes land that much harder in the audiobook version.
11. Becoming, by Michelle Obama
Constantly raising the bar for us all, and doing it flawlessly, there aren't enough words to describe our admiration for Michelle! The former First Lady has encouraged better education for girls, equal rights, healthy living and more help for families living in poverty.
Let her calming voice guide you through her honest memoir, Becoming, in which she shares her life experiences and lessons from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her experiences in the White House. If you're looking for some serious boss-lady inspiration, this is the one!
12. Heartburn
We'll pretty much listen to anything if it's narrated by the one and only Meryl Streep, so if you're a fan of hers, this audiobook is an easy win!
A semi-autobiographical novel, this work by Nora Ephron revolves around the character Rachel Samstat, a cookbook writer, and her husband Mark Feldman, a political journalist. The narrative takes an unexpected turn when Rachel discovers that Mark is having an affair with another woman.
Meryl perfectly evokes Ephron's wit and humour, in telling a story that explores the pain of infidelity and the resilience to get through it.
13. Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon
Maybe you're a fan of the TV series or you've got a friend who is obsessed. Well, we're here to tell you the audiobook is just as good!
This swoon-worthy historical meets science fiction romance is beloved for its genre-blending storytelling, strong character arcs, and the exploration of themes such as love, time travel, and the impact of history.
Narrator Davina Porter's British charm makes this story shine even more.
14. I’m Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy
Don’t worry, the title shocked us too. This heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy unveils the trials and tribulations she went through as a child star on Disney in the early-to-mid 2000s. The book also delves into Jenette’s struggle with eating disorders, addiction, and her complicated relationship with her overbearing and abusive mother.
The audiobook version is an intimate and personal way to hear the actress recount her experiences from her own voice.
15. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, by Matthew Perry
Late actor Matthew Perry's powerful memoir shares the most intimate details of his life. Narrated by the beloved Friends actor himself, this eye-opening book reveals his struggles with addiction, fame, and relationships in the hopes of helping others who are similarly struggling. It's a heartfelt and beautiful tribute to the life of an unforgettable man who touched millions.
