The Audiobook Publishers Association hosts the Audie Awards every year and you can think of them as the Golden Globes or Oscars for audiobooks. This is the 22nd year the awards have been given out and there are a number of notable titles that are worth a listen.
AUDIO DRAMA
Finalist Titles
Alien: Out of the Shadows: An Audible Original Drama by Tim Lebbon and Dirk Maggs, narrated by Rutger Hauer, Corey Johnson, Matthew Lewis, Kathryn Drysdale, Laurel Lefkow, Andrea Deck, and Mac McDonald, published by Audible Studios
Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor Adventures: Death and the Queen by James Goss, narrated by David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Alice Krige, Blake Ritson, Beth Chalmers, and Alan Cox, published by Big Finish Productions
Doctor Who: The War Doctor: Only The Monstrous by Nicholas Briggs, narrated by John Hurt, Jacqueline Pearce, Carolyn Seymour, and Lucy Briggs-Owen, published by Big Finish Productions
In the Embers by Brian Price and Jerry Stearns, narrated by Robin Miles, Edwin Strout, Dean Johnson, et al; music by Mike Wheaton, published by Great Northern Audio Theatre/Blackstone Audio
The Mountaintop by Katori Hall, narrated by Aja Naomi King and Larry Powell, published by LA Theatre Works
AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
Finalist Titles
Around the Way Girl written and narrated by Taraji P. Henson, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Buffering: Unshared Tales of a Life Fully Loaded by Hannah Hart, narrated by Hannah Hart and Judy Young, published by HarperAudio
The Greatest: My Own Story by Muhammad Ali with Richard Durham, narrated by Dion Graham, published by Graymalkin Media
The Rainbow Comes and Goes written and narrated by Anderson Cooper and Gloria Vanderbilt, published by HarperAudio
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi; Foreword by Abraham Verghese, narrated by Sunil Malhotra and Cassandra Campbell, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
BEST FEMALE NARRATOR
Finalist Titles
Another Brooklyn: A Novel by Jacqueline Woodson, narrated by Robin Miles, published by HarperAudio
Be Frank with Me by Julia Claiborne Johnson, narrated by Tavia Gilbert, published by HarperAudio
The Little Red Chairs by Edna O’Brien, narrated by Juliet Stevenson, published by Hachette Audio
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, narrated by Emma Thompson, published by Audible Studios
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, narrated by Bahni Turpin, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
BEST MALE NARRATOR
Finalist Titles
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff by Pappy Pariah, narrated by Sean Penn, published by Audible Studios
End of Watch by Stephen King, narrated by Will Patton, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Jerusalem by Alan Moore, narrated by Simon Vance, published by Recorded Books
The Last Tribe by Brad Manuel, narrated by Scott Brick, published by Podium Publishing
The Purloined Poodle by Kevin Hearne, narrated by Luke Daniels, published by Kevin Hearne/ACX
Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters, narrated by William DeMeritt, published by Hachette Audio
BUSINESS/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Finalist Titles
Capital Offenses: Business Crime and Punishment in America’s Corporate Age by Samuel W. Buell, narrated by LJ Ganser, published by Audible Studios
Humans Need Not Apply by Jerry Kaplan, narrated by John Pruden, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books
Shrill written and narrated by Lindy West, published by Hachette Audio
The Storyteller’s Secret written and narrated by Carmine Gallo, published by Macmillan Audio
Trekonomics: The Economics of Star Trek by Manu Saadia, narrated by Oliver Wyman, published by Audible Studios
EROTICA
Finalist Titles
The Baller by Vi Keeland, narrated by Mackenzie Cartwright and Sean Crisden, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books
The Darkest Torment by Gena Showalter, narrated by Max Bellmore, published by Recorded Books
Eighteen (18): Based on a True Story by J.A. Huss, narrated by Ava Erickson, published by Podium Publishing
January: Calendar Girl, Book 1 by Audrey Carlan, narrated by Summer Morton, published by Brilliance Publishing
Marriage Games by CD Reiss, narrated by Sebastian York and Elena Wolfe, published by Flip City Media Inc.
Sweet Dreams by Sunny Leone, narrated by Vikas Adams and Simone Lewis, published by Novel Audio
FANTASY
Finalist Titles
The Bands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson, narrated by Michael Kramer, published by Macmillan Audio
The Black Prism by Brent Weeks, narrated by Simon Vance, published by Hachette Audio
The Everything Box by Richard Kadrey, narrated by Oliver Wyman, published by HarperAudio
The Hike by Drew Magary, narrated by Christopher Lane, published by Brilliance Audio
League of Dragons by Naomi Novik, narrated by Simon Vance, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books
FICTION
Finalist Titles
America’s First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, published by HarperAudio
Darktown by Thomas Mullen, narrated by Andre Holland, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
End of Watch by Stephen King, narrated by Will Patton, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Julian Fellowes’s Belgravia by Julian Fellowes, narrated by Juliet Stevenson, published by Hachette Audio
Sister of Mine by Sabra Waldfogel, narrated by Bahni Turpin, published by Brilliance Publishing
HISTORY/BIOGRAPHY
Finalist Titles
In Harm’s Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors by Doug Stanton, narrated by Mark Boyett, published by Audible Studios
Paul McCartney: The Life by Philip Norman, narrated by Jonathan Keeble, published by Recorded Books
A Time to Die by Robert Moore, narrated by Pete Cross, published by Dreamscape Media, LLC
Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick, narrated by Scott Brick, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
The Year of Lear by James Shapiro, narrated by Robert Faas, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books
HUMOR
Finalist Titles
The Bassoon King: My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy written and narrated by Rainn Wilson, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
Black Man, White House: An Oral History of the Obama Years by D.L. Hughley, narrated by Keith Szarabajka, John Reynolds, Fran Tunno, Cherise Boothe, Dan Woren, P.J. Ochlan, Gregory Itzin, Paula Jai Parker-Martin, Mia Barron, Ron Butler, and James Shippy, published by HarperAudio
I’m Judging You written and narrated by Luvvie Ajayi, published by Macmillan Audio
Life and Other Near Death Experiences by Camille Pagán, narrated by Amy McFadden, published by Brilliance Publishing
You Can’t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson; Foreword by Jessica Williams, narrated by Phoebe Robinson, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
You’ll Grow out of It written and narrated by Jessi Klein, published by Hachette Audio
INSPIRATIONAL/FAITH-BASED FICTION
Finalist Titles
Beric the Briton by G.A. Henty, narrated by Brian Blessed, Brian Cox, Tom Baker, Honeysuckle Weeks, John Rhys-Davies, and a full cast, published by Heirloom Audio Productions
The Christmas Town written and narrated by Donna VanLiere, published by Macmillan Audio
The Dragon and the Raven by G.A. Henty, narrated by Brian Blessed, John Rhys-Davies, Helen George, Sylvester McCoy, John Bell, and a full cast, published by Heirloom Audio Productions
The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert, narrated by Sarah Zimmerman, published by Thomas Nelson/HarperAudio
Journey’s End by Renee Ryan, narrated by Karen Peakes, published by Brilliance Publishing
Risen: The Novelization of the Major Motion Picture by Angela Hunt, narrated by P.J. Ochlan and Alana Kerr Collins, published by christianaudio, a division of Recorded Books
INSPIRATIONAL/FAITH-BASED NON-FICTION
Finalist Titles
The Awakening of HK Derryberry by Jim Bradford and Andy Hardin, narrated by Milton Bagby, published by Thomas Nelson/HarperAudio
Divine Collision by Jim Gash, narrated by Brandon Batchelar and Jason White, published by Oasis Audio
Forgiving My Daughter’s Killer by Kate Grosmaire and Nancy French, narrated by Kate Rudd and Nick Podehl, published by Brilliance Publishing
The Great Good Thing written and narrated by Andrew Klavan, published by Thomas Nelson/HarperAudio
Space at the Table written and narrated by Brad Harper and Drew Harper, published by Oasis Audio
LITERARY FICTION & CLASSICS
Finalist Titles
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (read by Johansson) by Lewis Carroll, narrated by Scarlett Johansson, published by Audible Studios
Another Brooklyn: A Novel by Jacqueline Woodson, narrated by Robin Miles, published by HarperAudio
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, narrated by Richard Armitage, published by Audible Studios
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, narrated by Dominic Hoffman, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
LaRose written and narrated by Louise Erdrich, published by HarperAudio
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, narrated by Bahni Turpin, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
MIDDLE GRADE
Finalist Titles
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor, narrated by Michael Crouch and Kathleen McInerney, published by HarperAudio
Demon Dentist by David Walliams, narrated by David Walliams, Jocelyn Jee Esien, and Nitin Ganatra, published by HarperAudio
The Enchanted Files: Hatched by Bruce Coville, narrated by a full cast, published by Listening Library
How to Train Your Dragon: How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury by Cressida Cowell, narrated by David Tennant, published by Hachette Audio
The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz, narrated by Adam Gidwitz and various, published by Listening Library
MULTI-VOICED PERFORMANCE
Finalist Titles
Les Liaisons Dangereuses: Read by the Cast of the Stage Play by Choderlos de Laclos, narrated by Dominic West, Janet McTeer, Una Stubbs, Elaine Cassidy, Adjoa Andoh, Edward Holcroft, and Morfydd Clark, published by Audible Studios
The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom, narrated by Mitch Albom, Roger McGuinn, Ingrid Michaelson, John Pizzarelli, Paul Stanley, George Guidall, and more, published by HarperAudio
Pruno, Ramen, and a Side of Hope: Stories of Surviving Wrongful Conviction by Courtney Lance and Nikki Pope, narrated by Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Kurtis, published by Post Hill Press
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, narrated by Audra McDonald, Cassandra Campbell and Ari Fliakos, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
Thomas Jefferson-From Boy to Man by Jayne D’Alessandro-Cox, narrated by James Brinkley, published by James Brinkley/Jayne D’Alessandro-Cox
A Wild Swan by Michael Cunningham, narrated by Lili Taylor and Billy Hough, published by Macmillan Audio
MYSTERY
Finalist Titles
Crimson Shore by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child, narrated by Rene Auberjonois, published by Hachette Audio
The Crossing by Michael Connelly, narrated by Titus Welliver, published by Hachette Audio
A Great Reckoning by Louise Penny, narrated by Robert Bathurst, published by Macmillan Audio
The Heavens May Fall by Allen Eskens, narrated by R.C. Bray, David Colacci and Amy McFadden, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books
IQ by Joe Ide, narrated by Sullivan Jones, published by Hachette Audio
NON-FICTION
Finalist Titles
Adnan’s Story written and narrated by Rabia Chaudry, published by Macmillan Audio
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond, narrated by Dion Graham, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee, narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Hillbilly Elegy written and narrated by J.D. Vance, published by HarperAudio
A Million Years in a Day by Greg Jenner, narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies, published by Tantor Media, a Division of Recorded Books
Words on the Move: Why English Won’t – and Can’t – Sit Still (Like, Literally) written and narrated by John McWhorter, published by Audible Studios
ORIGINAL WORK
Finalist Titles
The Adventures of Tom Stranger, Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia, narrated by Adam Baldwin, published by Audible Studios
Alien: Out of the Shadows: An Audible Original Drama by Tim Lebbon and Dirk Maggs, narrated by Rutger Hauer, Corey Johnson, Matthew Lewis, Kathryn Drysdale, Laurel Lefkow, Andrea Deck, and Mac McDonald, published by Audible Studios
Car Talk Science: MIT Wants Its Diplomas Back written and narrated by Tom Magliozzi and Ray Magliozzi, published by HighBridge/Recorded Books
The Dispatcher by John Scalzi, narrated by Zachary Quinto, published by Audible Studios
In the Embers by Brian Price and Jerry Stearns, narrated by Robin Miles, Edwin Strout, Dean Johnson, Jacquie Maddix and a full cast, published by Great Northern Audio Theatre/Blackstone Audio
Pete Seeger: The Storm King, Vol. 2 by Pete Seeger, ed. and Jeff Haynes, narrated by Pete Seeger, published by Hachette Audio
PARANORMAL
Finalist Titles
Blood of the Earth: Soulwood, Book 1 by Faith Hunter, narrated by Khristine Hvam, published by Audible Studios
The Elementals by Michael McDowell, narrated by R.C. Bray, published by Valancourt Audiobooks in association with Blue Heron Audio
Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella, narrated by Nicol Zanzarella, published by Brilliance Publishing
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater, narrated by Will Patton, published by Scholastic Audio
Staked by Kevin Hearne, narrated by Luke Daniels, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
ROMANCE
Finalist Titles
Dirty by Kylie Scott, narrated by Andi Arndt, published by Macmillan Audio
Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt, narrated by Ashford McNab, published by Hachette Audio
First Star I See Tonight by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, narrated by Nicole Poole, published by HarperAudio
Glitterland: Spires, Book 1 by Alexis Hall, narrated by Nicholas Boulton, published by Hedgehog Inc Productions
The Obsession by Nora Roberts, narrated by Shannon McManus, published by Brilliance Publishing
SCIENCE FICTION
Finalist Titles
The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Ellison, narrated by Angela Dawe, published by Brilliance Publishing
Crosstalk by Connie Willis, narrated by Mia Barron, published by Recorded Books
The Dispatcher by John Scalzi, narrated by Zachary Quinto, published by Audible Studios
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel, narrated by a full cast, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Alan Dean Foster, narrated by Marc Thompson, published by Penguin Random House Audio / Books On Tape
SHORT STORIES/COLLECTIONS
Finalist Titles
The Brink: Stories by Austin Bunn, narrated by Austin Bunn, Luke Daniels, Tanya Eby, Ralph Lister, Amy McFadden, Mikael Naramore, and Nick Podehl, published by Blunder Woman Productions via ACX
Certain Dark Things by M.J. Pack, narrated by Jacob York, published by Audible Studios
Coffee at Luke’s edited by Jennifer Crusie, narrated by Colby Elliott, published by Last Word Audio
The Collected Stories of Arthur C. Clarke by Arthur C. Clarke, narrated by Ray Porter, Jonathan Davis and Ralph Lister, published by Audible Studios
East, West by Salman Rushdie, narrated by Sunil Malhotra and Steven Crossley, published by Recorded Books
Killer Women: Crime Club Anthology #1 by Louise Millar, Alex Marwood and Tammy Cohen, narrated by Clare Corbett, Adjoa Andoh, Rachel Atkins, and Carl Prekopp, published by Audible Studios
THRILLER/SUSPENSE
Finalist Titles
Cross Justice by James Patterson, narrated by Ruben Santiago Hudson and Jefferson Mays, published by Hachette Audio
The Fall of Moscow Station by Mark Henshaw, narrated by Eric G. Dove, published by Dreamscape Media, LLC
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes, narrated by Santino Fontana, published by Simon & Schuster Audio
Home by Harlan Coben, narrated by Steven Weber, published by Brilliance Publishing
The Short Drop by Matthew FitzSimmons, narrated by James Patrick Cronin, published by Brilliance Publishing
YOUNG ADULT
Finalist Titles
The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough, narrated by Susan Hanfield, published by Scholastic Audio
Gemina by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, narrated by Carla Corvo, Steve West and various, published by Listening Library
My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows, narrated by Katherine Kellgren published by HarperAudio
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, narrated by Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris and Michael Crouch, published by Listening Library
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco and James Patterson, narrated by Nicola Barber, published by Hachette Audio
Winter by Marissa Meyer, narrated by Rebecca Soler, published by Macmillan Audio
YOUNG LISTENERS (up to age 8)
Finalist Titles
28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World by Charles R. Smith, Jr., narrated by a full cast, published by Live Oak Media
Island Treasures: Growing up in Cuba by Alma Flor Ada, narrated by Trini Alvarado, published by Recorded Books
The Quentin Blake and John Yeoman Collection by Quentin Blake and John Yeoman, narrated by Stephen Thorne, published by Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
The Tale of Kitty-in-Boots by Beatrix Potter, narrated by Helen Mirren, published by Listening Library
Voice of Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford, narrated by Janina Edwards, published by Dreamscape Media, LLC
The Wooden Prince: Out of Abaton by John Claude Bemis, narrated by Ralph Lister, published by Oasis Audio
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
