Why we think it's Essential: Whether he's giving voice to Zaphod's zaniness or Marvin's manic depression, narrator Stephen Fry is pitch-perfect (or is that Prefect?). If you've yet to discover Arthur Dent's end-of-the-world antics in audio - Don't Panic! Just grab the nearest towel, plug in your earbuds - and hold on! —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: Whether he's giving voice to Zaphod's zaniness or Marvin's manic depression, narrator Stephen Fry is pitch-perfect (or is that Prefect?). If you've yet to discover Arthur Dent's end-of-the-world antics in audio - Don't Panic! Just grab the nearest towel, plug in your earbuds - and hold on! —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: I knew Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo from her Oscar-nominated performance in The House of Sand and Fog, and hoped for another star turn in her narration of Anita Amirrezvanivs debut novel - I wasn't disappointed. Aghdashloo's deep, raspy voice is absolutely haunting, whether describing the (surprisingly) fascinating intricacies of rug-making or re-telling the Iranian folktales that are woven into the story. A colorful, lush tale that I didn't want to end. —Diana D.

Why we think it's Essential: I knew Iranian actress Shohreh Aghdashloo from her Oscar-nominated performance in The House of Sand and Fog, and hoped for another star turn in her narration of Anita Amirrezvanivs debut novel - I wasn't disappointed. Aghdashloo's deep, raspy voice is absolutely haunting, whether describing the (surprisingly) fascinating intricacies of rug-making or re-telling the Iranian folktales that are woven into the story. A colorful, lush tale that I didn't want to end. —Diana D.

Why we think it's Essential: Margaret Atwood’s modern classic is one of the most stunning and powerful works of speculative fiction ever written, and it took a lot of careful consideration to determine who would best narrate this important book. Claire Danes elevates the frightening dystopic vision by lending a sheen of reality with her performance. She doesn't act, and she doesn't need to. She recounts. She breathes out the tale as if she is living it. Resigned, beaten down, traveling through hell by putting one step ahead of the other. I was utterly convinced by her performance. —Emily

Why we think it's Essential: Margaret Atwood’s modern classic is one of the most stunning and powerful works of speculative fiction ever written, and it took a lot of careful consideration to determine who would best narrate this important book. Claire Danes elevates the frightening dystopic vision by lending a sheen of reality with her performance. She doesn't act, and she doesn't need to. She recounts. She breathes out the tale as if she is living it. Resigned, beaten down, traveling through hell by putting one step ahead of the other. I was utterly convinced by her performance. —Emily

Why we think it's Essential: Though I read and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice in college, I wanted a new perspective on the classic and so started listening to it. Kate Reading's interpretation is simply marvelous - her distinct characterizations of the Bennett sisters and their suitors absolutely enchanting. —Diana D.

Why we think it's Essential: Though I read and enjoyed Pride and Prejudice in college, I wanted a new perspective on the classic and so started listening to it. Kate Reading's interpretation is simply marvelous - her distinct characterizations of the Bennett sisters and their suitors absolutely enchanting. —Diana D.

Why we think it's Essential: Anne Hathaway's narration is hands-down the most diverse performance I’ve ever seen or heard her give. She has an extremely broad vocal range, and she nails the different voices to the point you almost think it’s multi-cast. Each character feels authentic, relatable and unique. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is truly one of the best audiobook performances I’ve ever heard. —Jess

Why we think it's Essential: Anne Hathaway's narration is hands-down the most diverse performance I’ve ever seen or heard her give. She has an extremely broad vocal range, and she nails the different voices to the point you almost think it’s multi-cast. Each character feels authentic, relatable and unique. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is truly one of the best audiobook performances I’ve ever heard. —Jess

Why we think it's Essential: Thanks to Robertson Dean's menacing narration, this gripping, thinking-person's thriller about a CIA operative deep undercover in al Qaeda is frighteningly real. Once you start listening, you'll find yourself sitting in the driveway with the engine still running. —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: Thanks to Robertson Dean's menacing narration, this gripping, thinking-person's thriller about a CIA operative deep undercover in al Qaeda is frighteningly real. Once you start listening, you'll find yourself sitting in the driveway with the engine still running. —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: Whenever I'm asked for an example of the perfect marriage of a story's characters, language, and pacing and a narrator's talent and presence, this is my first recommendation. Timothy Dalton's smoky, boozy, world-weary Irish brogue is truly haunting. He is so convincing as the fictional lead that I felt as if he was Quirke, sharing a story as he lived it. —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: Whenever I'm asked for an example of the perfect marriage of a story's characters, language, and pacing and a narrator's talent and presence, this is my first recommendation. Timothy Dalton's smoky, boozy, world-weary Irish brogue is truly haunting. He is so convincing as the fictional lead that I felt as if he was Quirke, sharing a story as he lived it. —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: My favorite books take me to a destination I couldn't visit on my own. In Kitchen Confidential, Tony Bourdain led me through his world of food, kitchens, and restaurants. Without Bourdain, I wouldn't have known about the grueling life at the stove, the colorful exploits in the kitchen, and the millions of details that go into making lovely meals. As you may know from Bourdain's TV career, there's no better, or funnier, guide to the world of food. —Beth

Why we think it's Essential: My favorite books take me to a destination I couldn't visit on my own. In Kitchen Confidential, Tony Bourdain led me through his world of food, kitchens, and restaurants. Without Bourdain, I wouldn't have known about the grueling life at the stove, the colorful exploits in the kitchen, and the millions of details that go into making lovely meals. As you may know from Bourdain's TV career, there's no better, or funnier, guide to the world of food. —Beth

Why we think it's Essential: Her Royal Spyness is an absolute gem! In this lighthearted mystery series, Rhys Bowen delivers a charming combination of intrigue and romance blended with a touch of humor. She has created an interesting cast of characters and those personalities (a royal down on her luck, a lovable cockney grandfather, a devilishly lovable Irish gent) come alive through Katherine Kellgren's flawless narration. This is a series that begs to be listened to, but fair warning, once you start, you won't be able to stop! —Katie

Why we think it's Essential: Her Royal Spyness is an absolute gem! In this lighthearted mystery series, Rhys Bowen delivers a charming combination of intrigue and romance blended with a touch of humor. She has created an interesting cast of characters and those personalities (a royal down on her luck, a lovable cockney grandfather, a devilishly lovable Irish gent) come alive through Katherine Kellgren's flawless narration. This is a series that begs to be listened to, but fair warning, once you start, you won't be able to stop! —Katie

Why we think it's Essential: This is more than just a mystery. Burke hits all the genre high notes while undertaking a pointed examination of post-Katrina New Orleans. Will Patton's narration drowns you in the bayou and brings you back dripping with satisfaction. It is a perfect storm of genre fiction and real life tragedy. —Chris D.

Why we think it's Essential: This is more than just a mystery. Burke hits all the genre high notes while undertaking a pointed examination of post-Katrina New Orleans. Will Patton's narration drowns you in the bayou and brings you back dripping with satisfaction. It is a perfect storm of genre fiction and real life tragedy. —Chris D.

Why we think it's Essential: What makes Harry Dresden so essential in the world of urban fantasy is his incapability to ignore those in need, or skip a single glitch in the appearance of a case - it makes him a good detective, and it keeps his character steady. Jim Butcher has created a wizard who exudes the callous confidence a private detective needs to survive and placed him in our world - a world where you cast a spell or become a thrall, trade or be traded, investigate or die. Narrator James Marsters embodies Dresden at his core, smooth and solid, with an unmistakable outside edge of gruffness that leaves listeners with a hardboiled swing in their step. —Erin

Why we think it's Essential: What makes Harry Dresden so essential in the world of urban fantasy is his incapability to ignore those in need, or skip a single glitch in the appearance of a case - it makes him a good detective, and it keeps his character steady. Jim Butcher has created a wizard who exudes the callous confidence a private detective needs to survive and placed him in our world - a world where you cast a spell or become a thrall, trade or be traded, investigate or die. Narrator James Marsters embodies Dresden at his core, smooth and solid, with an unmistakable outside edge of gruffness that leaves listeners with a hardboiled swing in their step. —Erin

Why we think it's Essential: If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting to stay home, instead of attending a party, or wish you could be more vocal and outgoing at work, this book is for you. Empowering and informative, Quiet is a revolutionary look at the power of introverts – and the strengths they contribute to society – through the lens of such unassuming leaders as Bill Gates and Rosa Parks. Narrator Kathe Mazur gets the pacing just right, leaving introverts and extroverts alike the time to listen and understand Cain’s power-packed gems. —Diana M.

Why we think it's Essential: If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting to stay home, instead of attending a party, or wish you could be more vocal and outgoing at work, this book is for you. Empowering and informative, Quiet is a revolutionary look at the power of introverts – and the strengths they contribute to society – through the lens of such unassuming leaders as Bill Gates and Rosa Parks. Narrator Kathe Mazur gets the pacing just right, leaving introverts and extroverts alike the time to listen and understand Cain’s power-packed gems. —Diana M.

Why we think it's Essential: If there's ever a space war, the Lost Fleet series could well be the military's manual. Author Jack Campbell, a former Navy officer, infuses the first book, Dauntless, with the kind of details that make "Black Jack" Geary's futuristic exploits seem as if they're ripped from today's headlines. Narrator Christian Rummel gives this blood-and-guts adventure just the hard edge it needs. —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: If there's ever a space war, the Lost Fleet series could well be the military's manual. Author Jack Campbell, a former Navy officer, infuses the first book, Dauntless, with the kind of details that make "Black Jack" Geary's futuristic exploits seem as if they're ripped from today's headlines. Narrator Christian Rummel gives this blood-and-guts adventure just the hard edge it needs. —Steve

Why we think it's Essential: To experience Truman Capote's genre-defining work for the first time with Scott Brick at the helm was a real treat. Brick's understated inflection and characterizations of the victims and the killers are subtle, but powerful. This riveting listen - a true audio masterpiece - rivals the best thrillers. —Diana D.

Why we think it's Essential: To experience Truman Capote's genre-defining work for the first time with Scott Brick at the helm was a real treat. Brick's understated inflection and characterizations of the victims and the killers are subtle, but powerful. This riveting listen - a true audio masterpiece - rivals the best thrillers. —Diana D.

Why we think it's Essential: One of our most highly-rated books of all-time, Ender’s Game isn’t just a sci-fi novel for kids. From an early age, Ender must tackle the adult concepts of leadership, independence and self-reliance, abstract thinking, and accountability. It helps that he’s a genetically engineered super-genius, but still, that’s a lot to ask a kid to handle. The multi-cast narration adds layers of texture to the diverse characters throughout. —Chris

Why we think it's Essential: One of our most highly-rated books of all-time, Ender’s Game isn’t just a sci-fi novel for kids. From an early age, Ender must tackle the adult concepts of leadership, independence and self-reliance, abstract thinking, and accountability. It helps that he’s a genetically engineered super-genius, but still, that’s a lot to ask a kid to handle. The multi-cast narration adds layers of texture to the diverse characters throughout. —Chris

Why we think it's Essential: Did you love the ‘80s? Because Ernest Cline’s sci-fi video game epic sure does. Chock full of references to almost every facet of pop culture from that decade, Ready Player One is an excellent example of a hero’s journey that uses a treasure-hunting narrative to frame the concepts of celebrity, privacy, and control, and posits the question, “What is reality?” Narrator Wil Wheaton does a superb job (as always), and his sci-fi background lends his performance a lot of credibility as computer-nerd-turned-superstar Wade Watts (yes, the familiar alliteration is intentional). —Chris

Why we think it's Essential: Did you love the ‘80s? Because Ernest Cline’s sci-fi video game epic sure does. Chock full of references to almost every facet of pop culture from that decade, Ready Player One is an excellent example of a hero’s journey that uses a treasure-hunting narrative to frame the concepts of celebrity, privacy, and control, and posits the question, “What is reality?” Narrator Wil Wheaton does a superb job (as always), and his sci-fi background lends his performance a lot of credibility as computer-nerd-turned-superstar Wade Watts (yes, the familiar alliteration is intentional). —Chris

Why we think it's Essential: H.P. Lovecraft pioneered the genre of “weird fiction”, so it makes sense that Peter Clines leans heavily on Lovecraft in this twisting, terrifying, shocking, and ultimately exhilarating tale of an apartment building with a lot of secrets. While the main character is a relatable everyman, the rest of the tenants are well-fleshed-out and rich, with their own backstories and motivations that pay off in an extended, otherworldly ending. Everyone is hiding something and the stakes are much higher than they first appear. Ray Porter absolutely nails the accents, tones, and emotions of the diverse cast of characters. —Chris

Why we think it's Essential: H.P. Lovecraft pioneered the genre of “weird fiction”, so it makes sense that Peter Clines leans heavily on Lovecraft in this twisting, terrifying, shocking, and ultimately exhilarating tale of an apartment building with a lot of secrets. While the main character is a relatable everyman, the rest of the tenants are well-fleshed-out and rich, with their own backstories and motivations that pay off in an extended, otherworldly ending. Everyone is hiding something and the stakes are much higher than they first appear. Ray Porter absolutely nails the accents, tones, and emotions of the diverse cast of characters. —Chris

Why we think it's Essential: Bill Clinton built his political career by explaining, persuading, and building rapport. He did it with world leaders, politicians, and the American people. He does it here, building a bond with listeners as he shares his perspective on the past 50 years of history - his and the country's. We've chosen the abridged edition over the unabridged, because hearing Clinton's give voice to his own story is a unique experience. His well known grasp of details and his charm come across in every chapter. —Beth

Why we think it's Essential: Bill Clinton built his political career by explaining, persuading, and building rapport. He did it with world leaders, politicians, and the American people. He does it here, building a bond with listeners as he shares his perspective on the past 50 years of history - his and the country's. We've chosen the abridged edition over the unabridged, because hearing Clinton's give voice to his own story is a unique experience. His well known grasp of details and his charm come across in every chapter. —Beth

Why we think it's Essential: The best-selling Hunger Games trilogy is, without a doubt, a cultural force. She probably didn’t know it at the time, but in writing her series Suzanne Collins set the standard for YA dystopian adventures. Dystopian fiction wasn’t new of course, but something about this trilogy really sparked the imagination of young readers, setting the stage for a plethora of new young adult books to enter the market. If you’re interested at all in this increasingly popular genre, this Essential is the perfect gateway book. —Emily

Why we think it's Essential: The best-selling Hunger Games trilogy is, without a doubt, a cultural force. She probably didn’t know it at the time, but in writing her series Suzanne Collins set the standard for YA dystopian adventures. Dystopian fiction wasn’t new of course, but something about this trilogy really sparked the imagination of young readers, setting the stage for a plethora of new young adult books to enter the market. If you’re interested at all in this increasingly popular genre, this Essential is the perfect gateway book. —Emily