It’s one of the great mysteries of time that the holiday season arrives earlier and goes by faster every year, and if we’re lucky, someday Carlo Rovelli will dazzle us with the cosmological explanation why. Until then, you can either follow the ABG rule used by the very best gift-givers (Always Be Gifting, i.e., keep your ears open for clues about your loved ones’ wish lists all year long) or you can do the next best thing and seek out expert advice.
If you’re looking to gift an audiobook this season—and why wouldn’t you? They’re thoughtful, transportive, and arrive in an instant—you’ve come to the right place for recommendations, last-minute or otherwise. The Audible Editors are audio connoisseurs, meaning we’re not just passionate and informed about the best new releases, classic mainstays, and hidden gems, but we’re also more than a little snobby about quality, an essential component of the very best gifts. Below are some of our editors' favorite audiobooks and Audible Originals for everyone on your list, or check out the Audible gift center for even more recommendations.
For the history buff who could use a break from WWII:
"Nothing grabs my attention quite like a disaster story set at sea. Offer me a cannibalistic saga of shipwreck, sabotage, and buried gold, and I’m all ears. Bestselling author David Grann and powerhouse narrator Dion Graham bring this tempestuous tale to life and come together to create one sublime audiobook. The Wager props open a fascinating portal into hidden maritime history, examining everything from 18th century amputation procedures to the oceanic origins of common English expressions like ‘three sheets to the wind.’ It’s truly narrative nonfiction at its finest." —Haley H.
Also great: Black AF History by Michael Harriot, Emperor of Rome by Mary Beard, Can You Dig It? by Pete Chelala, Bryan Master, and Julian Voloj
For the one who saw Oppenheimer in IMAX 70mm:
"They’ve already listened to American Prometheus, so surprise them with the newest release from Chilean author (and Obama favorite) Benjamín Labatut. Exploring themes of scientific genius and destruction, the novel centers on Hungarian polymath and AI pioneer John von Neumann, whose contributions to the Manhattan Project were cruelly left out of Oppenheimer but fascinating to discover in this immersive blend of fiction and history. The audiobook’s thrilling final section depicts the historic Go matches between Lee Sedol and AI competitor AlphaGo, a provocative bookend to the cataclysms still ricocheting from von Neumann’s legacy." —Kat J.
Also great: Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann, Dune by Frank Herbert, Wool by Hugh Howey
For the bibliophile who needs a little help getting into audiobooks:
"Captivatingly read by Helen Laser, Yellowface delivers a bold and impressive social commentary on the publishing world and its intersection with social media. The novel starts with June Hayward, a struggling white author who had an underwhelming debut experience. After witnessing her Asian American friend’s death, June makes a choice to steal, edit, and submit the late author’s latest unpublished manuscript as her own. What ensues is an anxiety-ridden, satirical thriller that had me rooting for the morally grey June—while also hoping that her mountain of crimes, lies, racism, and betrayals would be discovered." —Patty R.
Also great: The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, Holly by Stephen King
For the classics connoisseur:
"I first attempted to read The Illiad in college. I got through it, for the most part, but can’t say the experience served as much more than checking a box for this literature major. Don’t tell my professor, but I kind of forgot what it was even about. In comes Emily Wilson’s amazing new translation and an inspired performance by Audra McDonald, and now I get it! This is truly something that is meant to be heard—epic, ancient poetry has never sounded so good." —Tricia F.
Also great: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery and adapted by Abi Hynes, Collected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges and translated by Andrew Hurley, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and translated by Constance Garnett
For a young hero in the making:
"Percy Jackson is like your average teenager in many respects, whether he’s running into trouble in between classes or navigating budding romantic feelings for a dear friend. There’s just one thing—he also happens to be a demigod, the son of Poseidon himself. Since Rick Riordan’s first installment, The Lightning Thief, was released in 2005, Percy’s story has enthralled countless young listeners, sparking imagination and making them feel a little less alone about the whirlwind of coming-of-age. Whether they’re starting at the very beginning or continuing their journey with The Chalice of the Gods, the mythology-obsessed youngsters in your life will no doubt be enthralled by the world of Camp Half-Blood." —Alanna M.
Also great: Greenwild by Pari Thomson, Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy by Angie Thomas, Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef
For your most creative friend:
”If you’re looking for a gift for the artist in your life, look no further than record producer Rick Rubin's profound and enlightening standout ode to art. With his authoritatively deep voice and insightful anecdotes, Rubin unlocks a treasure trove of practical advice for inspiring creativity. Plus, the attention-grabbing sounds carefully placed throughout each chapter kept me grounded in his message. This dazzling audiobook is an absolute must-listen for anyone seeking to invoke the Muses and unleash their expressive potential." —Rachael X.
Also great: Every Man for Himself and God Against All by Werner Herzog, The Art Thief by Michael Finkel, All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley
For a book club buddy:
”Nathan Hill’s debut novel, The Nix, topped our Best of 2016 list, so I had high expectations for Wellness—expectations that were absolutely surpassed in this smart, funny, and poignant exploration of modern marriage, our tech-obsessed health culture, and the bonds that keep us together. Hearing narrator Ari Fliakos perform a second Nathan Hill novel was an added treat—these two have great chemistry, and Fliakos gets Hill’s humor. From Jack and Elizabeth, the couple at the center, to the often-hysterical side characters and the vividly drawn descriptions of the arts scene in 1990s Chicago and modern-day suburbia, I was enthralled from beginning to end." —Tricia F.
Also great: The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride, Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
For budding thespians and theater camp alums:
”Can’t quite swing a trip to Broadway? Give your stage-obsessed buddy the next best thing with this Audible Original production of Fat Ham. James Ijames’s electrifying, Pulitzer Prize-winning Hamlet reimagining is striking in its ability to carve and serve up the classic Shakespeare tragedy as a comedic critique of being queer, Black, and ‘soft’ in the American South. After Juicy (Marcel Spears) is visited by his father’s ghost, Pap (Billy Eugene Jones), at a backyard barbecue, he's tasked with avenging his father’s death and killing his uncle. In revisiting the play's lyrical language again after catching it on stage during its initial Tony-nominated run in NYC, I'm even more impressed by this meta-meditation on love, violence, and what it means to be a ‘real man’.” —Jerry P.
Also great: Center of the YOUniverse by Tituss Burgess and Jane Krakowski, Good Enemy by Yilong Liu, The Inheritance by Matthew López
For nature and animal lovers:
"Christian Cooper soars above and beyond his viral encounter in New York City's Central Park in this heartfelt—and strikingly humorous—memoir that offers a healing reminder that no story ever begins or ends in a single moment. Infused with insights on queer sexuality and nerd culture, and featuring a natural abundance of birdcalls, this dynamic listen is made all the more memorable by Cooper’s charming narration." —Haley H.
Also great: An Immense World by Ed Yong, The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay, What an Owl Knows by Jennifer Ackerman
For the news junkie:
"Four years after her Grammy-winning performance of Blowout, Rachel Maddow is back with another self-performed history. Prequel takes us back to World War II and the fight against fascism as German agents and Nazi sympathizers tried to undermine US democracy, promote anti-Semitism, and destroy confidence in the government. By exposing the involvement of elected officials and shining a light on the public servants and private citizens who banded together to thwart fascist efforts in America, Maddow offers an expertly written, reported, and performed account that not only educates us about the past but offers a suggestion on how to approach moments of conflict and crisis today." —Michael C.
Also great: Doppelganger by Naomi Klein, Conflict by David Petraeus and Andrew Roberts, Number Go Up by Zeke Faux
For those who want to blast off to another dimension:
"We all have that friend who geeks out about space exploration, terraforming, and what the future might hold for life beyond Earth. Shoot for the stars and make your most interstellar-minded pals feel seen with Kelly and Zach Weinersmith’s A City on Mars. Told with a pop-sci flair that shimmers with humor and thoughtful research on space settlement, this listen is sure to be a hit with anyone curious about everything from the popularity of taco sauce among galactic travelers to the possibility of a housing crisis on the moon." —Alanna M.
Also great: Starter Villain by John Scalzi, Life on Other Planets by Aomawa Shields, PhD, White Holes by Carlo Rovelli
For the TikToker living on their FYP:
"BookTok propelled Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing to inescapable heights this year, and guess what? The steamy, dragon-packed fantasy series is worth every bit of hype. Give them what they want with the second audiobook in the Empyrean series, which follows Violet in a grueling new challenge at Basgiath War College as a new vice commandant makes it his personal mission to teach her exactly how powerless she is. If they've already finished Iron Flame, gift them a preorder of the first installment of Fourth Wing's audio dramatization, which will hit their Library just two days after Christmas." —Katie O.
Also great: House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas, Too Late by Colleen Hoover, Happy Place by Emily Henry
For someone who’s suffered a recent loss:
"While the holiday season is often associated with all things holly, jolly, merry, and bright, it can be an especially dark time of year for folks grieving a loved one. If you’re looking to express your support, consider gifting Sorry for Your Loss. Michael Cruz Kayne's hilarious and heartbreaking one-man 'comedy show about grief,' recorded live at the Minetta Lane Theatre, is all about those contradictions that come with love and loss. He spins you through myriad topics—from Audrey Hepburn to Disney rides and funeral home receipts—demonstrating how loss is inescapably woven through everything, and it has to be if we want to experience the good stuff too." —Emily C.
Also great: The In-Between by Hadley Vlahos RN, Grief Is Love by Marisa Renee Lee, Think You'll Be Happy by Nicole Avant
For pop culture mavens:
"With the release of her memoir, Spears finally weighs in on her own life, and she sets the record straight about everything from her days of early fame to life under conservatorship control, and all the ups and downs in between. Fans everywhere have been waiting for Britney’s take, and finally, at long last, it is here. The emotion in Britney’s voice is palpable as she reads the introduction herself, then turns over the mic to award-winning performer Michelle Williams, who makes her audiobook debut and brings her incredible acting chops to the challenge of depicting one of America’s most famous women. Her narration is clear and calming, bringing a sense of serenity to Spears's incredible story." —Maddie A.
Also great: Leslie F-cking Jones by Leslie Jones, From the Streets to the Suites by Snoop Dogg, Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton
For the one whose wishlist is a total mystery:
"Nita Prose blew me away with The Maid. Now, she’s back! Molly Gray has become head maid at the five-star Regency Grand Hotel—which, with her proper etiquette and meticulous cleaning skills, is no surprise. All's going along swimmingly until J.D. Grimthorpe drops dead on the tearoom floor. It was murder, and, with the entire hotel under investigation, Molly must comb through her memory for clues since, long ago, she knew the famous mystery writer. Although she possesses the key to the suspect's identity, there are personal secrets to consider. So hold on!" —Yvonne D.
Also great: All the Sinners Bleed by S. A. Cosby, Moriarty: The Silent Order by Charles Kindinger, None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
