Today, we’ve made a list of the 10 best audiobooks of 2021 so far. Most of these are available on audible.com, and are definitely worth checking out!
List of 10 Best Audiobooks of 2021 So Far | Top 10 Audiobooks of 2021 Until June:
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
This historical fiction is set in Texas during the Great Depression of the 1930s and follows the story of Elsa Martinelli. Elsa is faced with a great and important choice – to stay in the land she grew up in and loves, or to go westward to California in hopes of more food and wealth. This indomitable woman and her daughter navigate the rough roads of life with heroism, hope and courage in this wonderful book. This book is narrated by the acclaimed Julia Whelan, who does justice to it completely.
Peaces by Helen Oyeyemi
This beautiful magical realism book has touches of whimsical and dreamlike fantasy. It tells the story of Otto and Xavier Shin, who after declaring their love, are sent off on a train trip by their aunt. This former tea-smuggling train turns out to be more magical than they ever thought – it is replete with personalized touches like their favourite food and more. However, when they meet a stranger woman on board, secrets unfurl and a wild ride begins. Narrated by Ben Allen and Intae Kim among others, the audio version will transport you to another world.
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
You have probably heard of Reid from ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ and ‘Daisy Jones and the Six.’ She made a buzz in the book community – bloggers, critics, readers and reviewers alike. Now, she has come up with a historical fiction novel, set in Malibu in 1983. It follows Nina Riva, daughter of prolific singer Mika Riva, and her siblings as she hosts the annual summer bash. This is THE party to be in, full of celebrities and shocking secrets. But does she really want to be here? This novel follows the siblings and their lives of deception and appearances. The audiobook is narrated by Julia Whelan, who has totally nailed it.
Unfinished by Priyanka Chopra Jonas
This memoir of one of the greatest Indian actresses gives an insight into her life – her childhood in India, her formative years as an actress and her entry into the world of glamour through a beauty pageant. As she tackles the trajectory of her colourful professional life across two major industries in two different continents, she also talks of her personal journey. From losing her father to cancer and marrying the man of her dreams, Nick Jonas, Priyanka crafts her story as a sassy, confident yet emotional and down-to earth actress and person. As she narrates the audiobook, her story comes to life almost like an old film of hers.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
This is the latest addition to the sci-fi world. It’s set in a dystopian future where children are genetically engineered to be smarter and deliberately kept away from socialization. Klara is our protagonist and one such Artificial Friend. This novel, which has created a lot of buzz in the reading community, chronicles her experiences in the dystopian world. Sura Siu is the narrator of the audiobook, and the performance is definitely worthy of the Nobel laureate’s newest novel.
Infinite Country by Patricia Engel
A moving novel that deals with the sensitive issue of deportation, “Infinite Country’ is the story of the couple Elena and Mauro in Colombia. Splintered by violence, the country no longer seems safe to raise their family. Elena and Mauro decide to leave their hometown for America, from where they send their wages back to Colombia. However, with no legal documentation, they constantly face the threat of deportation. The stress leads Elena to make a touch choice, which will make some things easier but fracture the family forever. Ines del Castillo narrates the audiobook, and it feels like a dream.
Sunshine Girl by Julianna Margulies
For the first time this May, the brilliant actress Margulies has turned author and charted her very own memoir. She talks about her childhood spent shuttling between her divorced parents across continents and winning the approval of her weird mother and absent father. Then, she talks about her life as an actress – the haunting choices she made and the innumerable sacrifices and rejections along the way. She also talks about ten good – the unforgettable acting roles that shaped her professional and personal life. The author herself narrates this intimate look into the elusive actress’s life, increasing the intimacy factor.
Assembly by Natasha Brown
This short, crisp but extremely sharp and hard-hitting novel is the story of a young Black American woman who attends a party that her rich white boyfriend and his family throws. From career problems and promotions in her finance job to racial prejudices, Brown writes prose that is succinct but impactful. This is an extremely short audiobook narrated by Pippa Bennett-Warner – just 1 hour 58 minutes long. It will get over in a jiffy, and hence is a great audiobook choice.
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
This wonderful YA novel comes from the acclaimed author of ‘The Hate U Give.’ In fact, this novel is a prequel to his fantastic story. This follows the seventeen year old Maverick Carter in his struggle to provide for his family by dealing with the King Lords, a gang. However, when he finds out that he is a father, his ideologies and definitions will alter. This audiobook is narrated by Dion Graham, and will definitely set your heart on fire.
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
In this non-fiction, Saunders explores his love for Russian literature through the works of Tolstoy, Turgenev, Chekov and Gogol. Told through seven essays, this book explains the mechanics of fiction, and exactly what makes stories work. Saunders talks of the technicalities of writing, pairing them with the fundamental qualities a writer must inculcate in order to better his craft. This novel explores not just what makes stories and writers great but also how our mind engages in the process of reading. The best part is that the author narrates it, and his passion and love for the subject flows into the audio.
Also Read: Top 10 Romantic Novels of 2021 So Far