If you want to experience a book differently or simply don’t have the time to read, explore some of the best audiobooks of all time that’ll keep you entertained for hours.
Are you an avid reader, or a frequenter of Hong Kong’s bookstores and libraries? With the frenetic pace of our city, many of us may not always be able to find the time to sit down and enjoy a proper read. (Nope, watching a film adaptation in the cinemas doesn’t count!) Luckily, with the rise of audiobooks, it’s now easier than ever to consume literature. Beyond reading a book out loud, narrators can often “perform” books in ways that add new layers to the material. Whether you’re on a road trip, stuck on a plane, or staying in on a rainy day, here are some of the best audiobooks of all time that deserve a listen.
Curl up with our favourite audiobooks of all time
1. Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (performed by Stephen Fry)
While Benedict Cumberbatch and Robert Downey Jr. may have given amazing performances as Sherlock Holmes on the screen, there’s nothing quite like discovering the legendary literary character through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original words. With Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection, essential Holmes novels like The Hound of the Baskervilles and A Study In Scarlet come to life through the voice of Stephen Fry. A seasoned audiobook narrator, the English comedian’s voice has captivated us through hours of mystery and intrigue. If you find the sheer volume of Holmes novels a little intimidating, give Sherlock Holmes: The Definitive Collection a listen, as it’s one of the best audiobooks for those who seek more accessible consumption of dense literature.
2. Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (performed by the author)
Indie music fans may already be familiar with Crying in H Mart’s author, Michelle Zauner, through the band Japanese Breakfast. Zauner digs as deep as her lyrics in her memoir about losing her mother, growing up as a Korean American, and forging her own identity through her heritage. Performed by the author herself, Crying in H Mart’s words truly radiate throughout this audiobook as smoothly and dynamically as one of Zauner’s songs. Providing an unflinching look at grief and complicated mother-daughter relationships, this intimate memoir is especially poignant when heard through the author’s own voice. The experience brings a new layer of understanding and makes the listener feel closer to Zauner’s already deeply personal story.
3. The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (performed by Tom Hanks)
A finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Ann Patchett’s The Dutch House explores the unbreakable bond between two siblings. Navigating almost five decades of the lives of Danny and Maeve, the novel expands on how the two are unable to escape their past and the memories of their childhood home. This emotional book finds a perfect fit in the endearing voice of beloved actor, Tom Hanks. Hanks’ narration keeps the listener captivated and lost in the world of Danny and Maeve while providing just the slightest hint of familiarity for those who grew up with his voice. The Dutch House’s audiobook utilises its celebrity narrator wonderfully to create a way for the average reader to engage thoughtfully with a literary gem.
4. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (performed by David Pittu)
A coming-of-age odyssey that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt was polarising for critics yet nothing short of a phenomenon when it was first published. When a bomb goes off at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 13-year-old Theo’s life is changed as his mother is killed and he takes The Goldfinch painting from the rubble in a panic. The dynamic events of the book are taken up a notch by the masterful performance choices by David Pittu. One of the best audiobooks of all time for a first-person narration novel, Pittu portrays the different stages of Theo’s life from teen years to adulthood wonderfully. Viewers of the 2019 film adaptation who may not be fans of long reads should definitely turn to this audiobook to explore the full extent of Tartt’s story. While The Goldfinch undoubtedly garners some passionate reviews, Pittu’s audiobook remains an intriguing listen.
5. The Hunger Games: Special Edition by Suzanne Collins (performed by Tatiana Maslany)
As an exceptionally popular Young Adult novel that spawned a series of successful films, it’s no surprise that The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has received a special-edition audiobook treatment. In a post-apocalyptic future, all children aged 12 to18 in the nation of Panem must enter a lottery for participation in the notorious Hunger Games. When Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her sister’s place, she’s faced with having to survive in a televised fight to the death. Noted for its sharp political themes and detailed world-building, this novel found an audience far beyond its YA genre delegation. Emmy Award-winning actress, Tatiana Maslany, performs this special edition (which includes a bonus Q&A with her) with great care. With excellent and distinct portrayals of a series of characters, Maslany breathes life into the story with her fresh take.
6. World War Z: The Complete Edition by Max Brooks (performed by a full cast)
With the expansion of the audiobook genre and its increasing popularity, productions of full narrative sagas with extraordinary performers are being invested in. One of the most ambitious productions is still the all-encompassing audiobook titled World War Z: The Complete Edition (Movie Tie-in Edition): An Oral History of the Zombie War – made to coincide with the 2013 loose film adaptation of Max Brooks’ World War Z. Containing the original novel as well as newly recorded segments, this expansive audiobook boasts an all-star voice cast. In the aftermath of a world ravaged by the “Zombie War”, the novel looks back into how the world dissolved into chaos and touches on the lives of survivors. Legendary names like Mark Hamill, Simon Pegg, and even Martin Scorsese join the author in an audiobook performance that adds realism to the unique landscape. One of the best audiobooks of all time featuring a multi-voice cast, the narrators come together to form a truly exceptional listening experience.
7. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy (performed by Maggie Gyllenhaal)
Fear not, classic literature lovers, because your favourite novels have most certainly got the audiobook treatment as well – often with multiple versions, too. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance of Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is our particular favourite in the realm of classical literature audiobooks. Focusing on a scandalous affair between Anna Karenina and Count Vronsky, the 800-page novel sees the couple fleeing to Italy before eventually returning to Russia. Feeling unsure about pursuing this long read? The beauty of audiobooks is that curious minds can now discover classic works in a more accessible way. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s version of Anna Karenina is elevated by Gyllenhaal’s own love of the novel, and her seamless narration never makes the length feel like a slog.
8. Dracula by Bram Stoker (performed by a full cast)
The figure of Count Dracula has become so iconic and well-ingrained in the cultural zeitgeist that it may be hard to remember his “humble” beginnings as a character in Bram Stoker’s seminal novel, Dracula, in 1897. Following the discovery that Count Dracula is a vampire, solicitor Jonathan Harker and a group led by Van Helsing begin to hunt down Dracula before he claims more victims. Noted for kickstarting the modern vampire legend, Dracula has had many adaptations since entering the public domain. The edition of Dracula by the audiobook and podcast platform, Audible, stands out to us due to its exceptional multi-voice cast that powerfully captures the book’s chilling suspense. With the vocal talents of Alan Cumming, Tim Curry, and more, this gothic horror rises from the dead as the narrators strike the perfect pitch by going back to the basics of Stoker’s novel.
