Last Updated on by Nishil Prasad
The New York Times Best Sellers list is the gold standard of literary recognition, celebrating the art of storytelling. It captures the zeitgeist of a nation hungry for captivating tales, offering a remarkable collection of Audiobooks that have received critical acclaim and widespread popularity.
From thrilling suspense to thought-provoking non-fiction, this curated selection displays the vast realm of contemporary literature. Whether you crave heart-pounding mysteries, tender romances, or intellectually stimulating exposés, the Best Sellers list has a treasure trove of audiobook wonders, allowing you to discover your own personal masterpiece.
10 Best New York Times Best Sellers Audiobooks
1. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant scientist, navigates the male-dominated world of the 1960s. She finds an unlikely ally in Calvin Evans, who appreciates her intellect and falls in love with her mind. Their relationship is unique and profound, but life takes an unexpected turn when Elizabeth becomes a single mother and the star of America’s beloved cooking show, “Supper at Six.”
Elizabeth’s unconventional approach to cooking disrupts the status quo, daring women to break free from societal expectations and embrace their passions. The audiobook uses astute observations to explore themes of empowerment, resilience, and the pursuit of one’s true calling. Garmus crafts a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, challenging societal norms.
2. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
At its heart, the novel is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Kya Clark who is abandoned by her family and forced to fend for herself in the marshlands of North Carolina. The book combines two timelines, alternating between Kya’s childhood and her coming-of-age as a young woman. As the story unfolds, Kya learns to navigate the beauty and harshness of nature, the complexities of human connection, and the power of love.
Owens’s mastery of the natural world transports you to the marshes as the setting becomes a character in itself, offering solace, danger, and isolation. Through Kya’s eyes, you get to experience the wonders of nature and the loneliness of solitude. Cassandra Campbell’s performance is brilliant, making this a true auditory delight. For even more wonderful performances of Cassandra Campbell, this article on the best Cassandra Campbell audiobooks is unmissable!
3. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama’s Becoming is a deeply personal memoir that chronicles her life from her modest beginnings on the South Side of Chicago to her role as First Lady of the United States. With elegance and honesty, she shares her joys, struggles, and triumphs, providing a candid account of the challenges she faced as a woman of colour navigating various spheres of influence.
Themes of identity, resilience, and empowerment resonate throughout the audiobook, inviting you to reflect on your own journeys and embrace your authenticity. Michelle Obama’s warm voice lends an intimate and authentic touch to her story, which is filled with emotion, sincerity, and the occasional moments of levity.
4. Educated by Tara Westover
Taught to distrust the government, medicine, and the outside world, Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was survivalists who lived in the mountains of Idaho, homeschooling their seven children. But Westover was determined to learn, and she eventually left home to attend Brigham Young University and Columbia University.
Her memoir, Educated, is a powerful story of self-discovery and the transformative power of education. Julia Whelan captures the intensity of Westover’s experiences, drawing you into the raw emotions of the story. Educated is a must-listen for anyone who has ever questioned their beliefs or sought to find their own path in life. Julia Whelan is one of the most prolific narrators working today, and you can find some more of her brilliant performances through this compilation of the best Julia Whelan audiobooks.
5. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
At the heart of The Silent Patient lies Alicia Berenson, an artist who has been imprisoned for murder. Alicia has not spoken a word since the night when she allegedly killed her husband. Enter Theo Faber, a psychotherapist determined to unravel the mystery behind Alicia’s silence and uncover the truth.
As Theo delves into Alicia’s past and the events leading up to the murder, a web of secrets, obsessions, and psychological complexities emerges that would change everything. The audiobook is expertly narrated and immerses you in a world of dark secrets and deception while exploring mental health, trauma, obsession, and the human mind. Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey’s outstanding narration will keep you affixed to the story until the end.
6. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
In The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Manson presents a counterintuitive approach to living a fulfilling life. He argues that true happiness and success do not come from relentless positivity or the pursuit of unattainable ideals. Instead, Manson suggests focusing on what truly matters, being honest about one’s values, and accepting the inevitable struggles that come with life.
Through anecdotes, humour, and personal experiences, he encourages you to let go of superficial concerns and embrace a more authentic and purposeful existence. In his candid and irreverent audiobook, Manson dismantles the notions of constant positivity and encourages a more realistic and grounded approach to life. Roger Wayne’s confident and engaging narration style here perfectly complements Manson’s unapologetic and humorous writing. If you’re someone constantly looking to improve yourself, then this compilation of the best self-help audiobooks would be perfect for you!
7. The Institute by Stephen King
In The Institute, King introduces listeners to Luke Ellis, a young boy with extraordinary telekinetic abilities. Abducted from his home in the dead of night, Luke finds himself imprisoned in a sinister facility known as the Institute. There, he discovers a web of dark secrets and a group of children with similar supernatural gifts, all subjected to cruel experiments.
As Luke and his newfound allies struggle for survival and search for a way to escape, they uncover the extent of the Institute’s sinister agenda. Stephen King’s storytelling skills are on full display here as he blends elements of horror, mystery, and psychological thriller. Santino Fontana’s narration enhances the atmospheric tension of the story, heightening the sense of danger and urgency.
8. The Guardians by John Grisham
The Guardians introduces us to Cullen Post, a dedicated lawyer and member of the non-profit organization Innocence Project. Post has made it his mission to fight for the wrongfully convicted and seek justice for those imprisoned for crimes they did not commit. But as he tackles the case of Quincy Miller, a young African American man convicted of a murder he claims he did not commit, Post finds himself entangled in a dangerous web of corruption, conspiracy, and a quest for truth that threatens his own safety.
Grisham’s audiobook is a riveting legal thriller with complex characters and a suspenseful plot. Michael Beck’s narration brings the story to life, and his portrayal of Cullen Post is particularly striking. For more John Grisham audiobooks, make sure to check out this collection of the best John Grisham audiobooks.
9. Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know by Malcolm Gladwell
Through a series of captivating anecdotes and in-depth analysis, Gladwell explores the challenges we face when trying to understand strangers. He draws upon historical events, high-profile cases, and psychological studies to shed light on why we often misjudge people’s intentions and fail to recognize deception.
Gladwell invites you to question your assumptions, biases, and the faulty strategies we employ when attempting to gauge the character of others. Gladwell explores truth, biases, and cultural differences, challenging assumptions about human behaviour. His narration has a conversational style that helps make even complex concepts accessible.
10. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
The Testaments picks up fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, presenting multiple perspectives that show the inner workings of the oppressive Gilead society. Through the voices of three women – Aunt Lydia, Agnes, and Daisy – Atwood lays bare a world marked by secrets, rebellion, and the quest for freedom.
Through this Booker-winning story, Atwood explores the power of resilience, resistance, and moral choices. The exceptional narration, with a talented cast, grips and draws you into the world of Gilead, capturing emotions and transporting you into a dystopian landscape. If getting sucked into a world that is on the verge of collapse is something you enjoy, then this selection of the best dystopian audiobooks is for you.
