The spirited (but friendly) debate over these titles could have gone on indefinitely. With years of listening, countless customer reviews, and a catalog of seemingly infinite great listens, 100 suddenly felt like a very small number. What we know for sure—each title that made it to this collection is elevated and made special in some way by audio, whether by a layered performance from a single narrator, a brilliantly cohesive full cast, original music, or immersive sound effects. They’re our go-to recommendations to new and old listeners alike, the highlights of our libraries. Many transcend their categories, appealing to listeners who may not have even considered dabbling in genres outside their usual favorites. Most have stood the test of time, while some are newer arrivals that have already signaled their enduring potential.
This list looks much different than it did even five years ago, thanks to innovative new audio styles and formats—from Originals to podcasts to live performances. And it might not look the same five years from now, as audio storytelling continues to grow and flourish. Our listeners’ and editors’ favorites are ever-evolving as we discover exciting new productions, listen to previously under-heard voices, and explore new perspectives and methods of approaching those stories. What we can say right now—we stand by these 100 titles as potential cornerstones of anyone’s listening life.
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