You know an audiobook is a win when you are sad that it’s over. That’s why getting addicted to a great audiobook series is so exciting. You have several books to look forward to before you have to say goodbye to the story.
Whether you love fantasy, mysteries, or stories that span generations of a family, there is a series out there to keep you listening. Some of the best audiobook series on this list are complete while others are still waiting for the next installment. Enjoy!
- Bluebird, Bluebird (The Highway 59 Series) by Attica Locke
- Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky Trilogy) by Rebecca Roanhorse
- Gilead (Gilead series) by Marilynne Robinson
- Akata Witch (Akita Witch Series) by Nnedi Okorafor
- The Poppy War (The Poppy War Series) by R.F. Kuang
- Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo
- The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive) by Brandon Sanderson
- All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries Series) by Martha Wells
- The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club Series) by Richard Osman
- A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk and Robot Series) by Becky Chambers
Bluebird, Bluebird (The Highway 59 Series) by Attica Locke
In Bluebird, Bluebird Darren Mathews, a Black Texas Ranger, is called back to East Texas to investigate the murder of two local citizens. Here the racial fault lines in the community put him and those around him at risk. Locke takes listeners to the sweltering, divided town of Lark and introduces them to a cast of characters whose motives will keep you guessing to the end.
J.D. Jackson narrates this story perfectly, giving characters the expected accents of the South without ever making the reader feel like he is making fun of their voices or tones.
Follow up with the second book of the series, Heaven, My Home while we wait for Locke to continue the story of Darren Mathews.
Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky Trilogy) by Rebecca Roanhorse
Multiple narrators bring Roanhorse’s epic fantasy series to life as she builds worlds that are as unique as they are recognizable. Drawing from Indigenous cultures, Black Sun introduces a cast of religious leaders, outcasts, and the chosen one who will save or destroy them all. Full of queer and diverse representation, listening to Black Sun allows you to close your eyes and disappear into a world that is enthralling, horrifying, and all too real despite being set in another world.
The second book of the series, Fevered Star, is available to keep you hooked until the final installment arrives.
Gilead (Gilead series) by Marilynne Robinson
John Ames is coming to the end of his life and trying to record his family history for a child he will never meet. In this story, set in Gilead, Iowa in the 1950s, Ames reflects on his life as a preacher, and he looks back on the lives of his father and grandfather, also preachers who approached the inequality they saw in different ways.
Gilead is so beautifully written, and the narration allows you to hear the joy, disappointment, and awe in Ame’s voice as he wanders through his past and the present landing at his doorstep in the form of Jack Boughton.
This series is complete, so listen to Home, Lila, and Jack to find out how the story ends.
Akata Witch (Akita Witch Series) by Nnedi Okorafor
In Akita Witch, Yetide Badaki skillfully narrates the story of Sunny, our 12-year-old protagonist living in Nigeria. Sunny was born in the U.S., so she doesn’t feel like she fully belongs in Nigeria. Being Albino and not being able to be in the sun make fitting in even more of a challenge. However, Sunny has magical powers that will pull her into a circle of friends as they try to take on a villain with magic to match their own.
Follow Sunny’s journey with Akata Warrior and Akata Woman.
The Poppy War (The Poppy War Series) by R.F. Kuang
You may have heard of Kuang due to the success of her recent book, Babel. Before she wrote the book that took 2022 by storm, she wrote The Poppy War, a sci-fi fantasy trilogy that introduced her to the literary world.
Inspired by Chinese history, particularly the wars of the mid-20th century, Kuang explores what it means to fight a war without losing who you are as a human. The narration will draw you in immediately, and you’ll be ready for the next two books in the trilogy before you even hear the last word of The Poppy War.
The next two books in the trilogy are The Dragon Republic and The Burning God.
Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy) by Leigh Bardugo
Originally targeted at the YA crowd, Shadow and Bone is also a hit with adults because the subject matter is engrossing, and the pacing is perfect. This fantasy read translates extremely well to audio, and the series has even been turned into a series released on Netflix.
Much like the Harry Potter series, Shadow and Bone follows an orphan with gifts they have yet to discover. Once it’s found that Alina, the main character, does have powers that can help her country in their war, she’s taken away to prepare for a life she didn’t expect to lead.
Continue the series with Siege and Storm and Ruin and Rising.
The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive) by Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson is a well-known name in the high fantasy and science fiction world, and if you want to have plenty of books to read indefinitely, start The Way of Kings. The first book of what will be a 10-book series introduces readers to the world of Roshar. War rages, and the arbitrary class system leaves some thriving while others are peasants.
When you finish The Way of Kings, grab Words of Radiance, Oathbringer, and Rhythms of War. The next books in the series will be released over the next several years.
All Systems Red (The Murderbot Diaries Series) by Martha Wells
In All System Red, you will be introduced to Murderbot, a cyborg tasked with protecting scientists as they explore another planet. Well’s ability to create worlds, tap into our emotions, and craft a fast-paced story are all present even in the first book of this series.
The latest installment of this addictive audiobook series comes out in November of 2023, so that should give you enough time to catch up on the first six novellas.
The Thursday Murder Club (Thursday Murder Club Series) by Richard Osman
Want murder with a side of cozy? This is the cozy mystery audiobook series for you. The Thursday Murder Club introduces us to four soon-to-be octogenarians who meet each week to solve crimes. While the other crimes they’ve investigated have happened in the past, they land in their first live murder when a killing comes close to home. Lesley Manville narrates the audiobook and gives it the atmospheric treatment it deserves.
The series continues with The Man Who Died Twice and The Bullet That Missed. Book 4 is expected to be published later in 2023.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built (Monk and Robot Series) by Becky Chambers
If you want your sci-fi with diverse representation and a little bit of hope, A Psalm for the Wild-Built should be your next listen. When a robot shows up to see what humanity needs, he pairs up with a monk to try to answer this question. While exploring all the different places a question like this could lead, Chambers takes us to the heart of humanity and leaves us feeling like we may already have enough.
The series continues in A Prayer for the Crown-Shy which was released in July 2022.
