fbpx

2019’s Best AudiobooksA great audiobook can be the perfect pastime as a truck driver. From historical fiction to biographies, fantasy to sci-fi, memoirs, and more, there are plenty of choices available. It can be difficult to find the perfect one, so we’ve compiled a list of the ones we think are the best. While we couldn’t cover every great audiobook, we picked just a few of our favorites. If you are looking for some great materials for the new year, check out some of the best audiobooks for 2020.

The Handmaid’s Tale

As we go into 2020, Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” continues to be a significant cultural touchstone, in no small part due to the ongoing TV adaptation, starring Elisabeth Moss. Fans of both the 1986 classic of feminism and the TV interpretation can rejoice as Moss, who plays Atwood’s compelling heroine, Offred, lends her narrative skill in a masterful performance that is sharp, deep, and poignant. At every moment, Moss makes you experience the dreadfulness of Gilead in subtle ways. Published by Random House, “The Handmaid’s Tale” delivers a modern classic in a powerful new performance that does the story’s strength and suffering true justice.

The Hate U Give

Angie Thomas’s tale of loss, grief, and healing is wonderfully read by Bahni Turpin in this audiobook edition published by HarperAudio. Published in 2017, “The Hate U Give” tells the story of Starr, a 16-year-old trying to understand the death of her friend while navigating the difficult balance between home life and school. Turpin packs a lot of power into her performance that truly does this modern hit justice.

A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man

The works of James Joyce are often considered at their best when read out loud, and this audiobook will probably make you believe it, too. Colin Farrell brings incredible skill to his narrative performance with impeccable attention to the inherent musical qualities of Joyce’s writing style. Farrell brings the serious, deep, masterful narration that Joyce’s prose deserves and that you would expect from such A-list talent. Published by Audible, this is one interpretation of Joyce’s classic “A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man” you won’t want to miss.

Journey to the River Sea

Eva Ibbotson’s heart-wrenching tale of suffering, strength, and hope is aptly brought to life in this audiobook adaptation. Exquisitely narrated by Penelope Rawlins, the “Journey to the River Sea” tells a beautiful story of an orphan named Maya. Maya must go to live with relatives hundreds of miles from her home, further up the Amazon River. Rawlins brings authenticity and compelling range to her performance, skillfully and subtly immersing the audience into the ethos of a rich rainforest and Maya’s life with her dreadful cousins.

The Chronicles of Narnia

“The Chronicles of Narnia” audiobook series, narrated masterfully by Maurice Denham, brings new life to C.S. Lewis’s modern classics. Narnia, a land of old magic, mystical prophecies, talking animals, and a kingly lion named Aslan, have captivated readers for more than a generation. Published by the BBC, this interpretation of Lewis’s fantasy children’s books gives room for the actors to bring their own flavor to the story. This is a great edition all around but especially for long road trips, putting the kids to bed, or enjoying quiet winter afternoons inside. This makes a wonderful edition for newcomers and old fans alike.

These audiobooks were too good to leave behind in 2019. So hook your phone to the truck bluetooth and start listening today. Let FCC know what you think of each audiobook and which ones you can’t get enough of.