If you’re a fan of audiobooks, you’ve likely listened to at least one story narrated by Julia Whelan. 

If you know, you know. If you don’t, Julia Whelan is a prolific and beloved audiobook narrator who has worked on titles by heavy hitters such as Emily Henry and Taylor Jenkins Reid.  

In fact, Julia Whelan is such an excellent narrator that she has her own fanbase, us among them. People will listen to audiobooks specifically to hear her low-pitched, expressive voice. 

Whether you’re new to the Julia Whelan fan club or your ears are craving more, we’ve put together the best audiobooks narrated by Julia Whelan. 

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You can also find Julia Whelan’s audiobooks for free on Libby or through Audible. 

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Before you ask, yes, we recommend all of Emily Henry’s books, even if they’re not on this list. They’re just so good! 

If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, Emily Henry is your gal. Julia Whelan brings Henry’s nuanced characters and emotional entanglements to life with her meaningful pauses and heartfelt narration. Whelan masterfully creates a unique voice for every character in Happy Place. You almost forget you’re listening to one person’s voice during the course of the story. 

Get the Happy Place audiobook.

Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan

Wait, a book BY Julia, NARRATED by Julia? Yup. Thank You for Listening is a semi-autobiographical novel following Sewanee, a famous audiobook narrator who unwillingly signs up to narrate a romance novel. 

Not only is Julia’s narration on point, but the book is excellent as well. You’ll be falling in love with the male lead in no time. 

Listen to Julia Whelan’s book on Libro.fm. 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl was one of Julia’s early big hits that secured her spot as a star narrator. The author herself requested Julia as the narrator for Amy because she couldn’t see anyone else doing the character justice. 

After Julia plays the role of Amy to such a tee that it’s scary. Gillian Flynn was right. At this point, we can’t think of anyone else who could play such an iconic character. 

Listen to the suspense classic now. 

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid has a huge fanbase, and so does Julia. Combined? They’re unstoppable. Today, Julia narrates pretty much all of Jenkins Reid’s books. However, this one is her most popular.

Julia plays a role in Jenkins Reid’s biggest hit, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, alongside Alma Cuervo and Robin Miles. If you’re a superfan of Julia, you might even wish she narrated the whole thing. 

Add The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo to your TBR today. 

Educated by Tara Westover

Educated is a deeply moving memoir by Tara Westover that chronicles her unique experience of growing up with survivalists in Idaho. 

Julia Whelan perfectly captures the emotion and nuance necessary to bring this story to life. With her masterful ability to carry so much unsaid emotion in a single word or pause, her narration is unmatched. 

Listen to Educated today. 

Flights by Olga Tokarczuk

If you’re new to audiobooks, a short story collection is a great way to get your feet wet. Flights by Olga Tokarczuk translated from the Polish by Jennifer Croft. The English translation won both the Nobel Prize in Literature and the Man Booker Prize. 

Needless to say, Flights is a breathtaking collection of short stories. Only a narrator as amazing as Julia Whelan could do it justice.

Listen to Flights today.  

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Honestly, we highly recommend every single Emily Henry audiobook that is narrated by Julia Whelan. However, People We Meet on Vacation is one of our top three Emily Henry books, so it made it to this list. 

This book is a rollicking good time. Julia does such a great job narrating both characters that you’ll soon find yourself crushing on Alex. Or Poppy. Or both. 

Get converted to the Emily Henry fandom today. 

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig

If historical fiction is your thing, have no fear. There’s a Julia Whelan-narrated book out there for you. 

Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig follows a group of young women in the Smith College Relief Unit who risk their lives to bring aid to French civilians affected by the violence of WWI. The story is emotional, rousing, and eye-opening, all of which make for a great story. 

Check out Band of Sisters for your historical fiction fix. 

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh

The thing we love about Julia Whelan is that she narrates all types of genres. From thrillers to literary fiction, she knows how to read a book out loud. (As if it’s that easy– we know it’s not!) 

Julia Whelan’s narration of My Year of Rest and Relaxation is spot on. She captures the ennui of the main character in such a way that we’re soon enveloped in her world. 

Listen to Ottessa Moshfegh’s book here. 

Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson

When the queen of horror and the queen of narration come together, you get Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson. 

This 1951 gothic novel is chilling in typical Shirley Jackson fashion, making it an interesting departure from Julia Whelan’s usual literary and rom-com fare. The story is allegedly based on a real-life missing person case from the 1940s, and we’re curious to read it. 

Explore Hangsaman, if you dare. 

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

Before Thank You For Listening, there was My Oxford Year. Although not as big of a hit as her sophomore novel, My Oxford Year is still delightful. 

Julia’s debut novel has all of the charm and romance that her fans know and love. It’s a sweet listen. Julia’s narration is perfect, as always. 

Check out My Oxford Year today. 

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes

Evvie Drake Starts Over was one of our favorite books of 2019. We didn’t listen to the audiobook version, but we guarantee it’s great because Julia Whelan narrates it. 

Evvie Drake is a story about starting over and second chances. It’s heartwarming and heartbreaking and will maybe make you tear up a little. 

Listen to Evvie Drake right now. 

Year One by Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is famous for her romance novels, but did you know she also writes dystopian fantasy? Year One, published in 2017, is an immersive page-turner about a post-apocalyptic world after a virus has wiped out half the population. Yikes.  

Julia Whelan narrates this 12-hour audiobook with style and grace. If you’re a Nora Roberts or dystopian fiction fan, it’s worth the read. 

Check out Year One today. 

Congo by Michael Crichton

Julia Whelan reading a Michael Crichton novel is something we didn’t know we needed until now. She narrates Congo, one of Michael Crichton’s better-known thrillers, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

Michael Crichton’s stories are famously un-put-down-able. Having Julia Whelan narrate one of these stories simply takes it to the next level of entertainment. 

Check out Congo to find out for yourself. 

The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess by Shannon & Dean Hale

If you need an audiobook that’s kid-friendly but not annoying, Julia Whelan is your gal. She narrates the entire Princess in Black series, and it is a delight. 

Each book is pretty short but fun. Whelan somehow captures the innocent joy of this children’s book without sacrificing her signature style. 

Check out The Princess in Black. 

The post 15 of the Best Audiobooks Narrated by Julia Whelan appeared first on Far Flung Readers.