The Audiobooks You Need To Download

Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton

Narrated by Dolly Alderton

This award-winning debut book from journalist Dolly Alderton, co-host of The High Low podcast, is a funny and insightful look at the trials and tribulations of growing up. With disastrous house parties, messy nights out, unfortunate dates and devastating break ups, Dolly’s experiences mirror many of our own and all women will be able to relate on some level. Narrated by Dolly herself, the audiobook is full of wit and self-deprecating humour, and you’ll definitely find yourself laughing along with her personal stories and satirical observations. We love her focus on female friendship and the tender way she describes her closest allies. 

Download it here.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

Narrated by Meryl Streep

Anything narrated by Meryl Streep is a winner in our eyes, and you’ll soon be recommending this book to everyone you know. Written by the late Nora Ephron (the screenwriter of When Harry Met Sally and Sleepless in Seattle), it follows the story of Rachel Samstat, who – at seven months pregnant – discovers that her husband is in love with another woman. Full of hilarious one-liners that you’ll be quoting for months after, it provides a rollercoaster ride of love, loss and revenge. It’s the perfect antidote to a dreary commute. 

Download it here.

In at the Deep End by Kate Davies

Narrated by Lucy Brigg-Owen

If you like your audiobooks with a side of filthy humour and raunchy scenes, In at the Deep End is for you. The plot centres on a civil servant called Julia who hasn’t had sex for three years and doesn’t really think that getting down and dirty is all it’s cracked up to be – until she gets intimate with a woman for the first time. A lesbian coming-of-age novel that’s been compared to the writing style of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag, it will have you laughing out loud and also thinking seriously about life and relationships. You might just want to make sure no-one can hear what you’re listening to…

Download it here. 

Lost Dog by Kate Spicer

Narrated by Kate Spicer

This life-affirming memoir comes from witty journalist Kate Spicer, whose work you can see in publications such as The Sunday Times, The Daily Mail and Vogue. Before she adopts a scruffy lurcher called Wolfy, Kate’s chaotic life is going off the rails somewhat – but her new canine friend injects a sense of order into it and she soon swaps late night parties for walks in the park. So, when Wolfy goes missing, Kate is understandably upset. Vowing to find him, she hits the streets for nine days – and meets some interesting people along the way. Searching for her dog tests her relationship – and her sanity – to its very limits and this is a brilliantly written book about hope, love and womanhood. Listening to it narrated by Kate herself, you get a real sense of her emotions every step of the way and you’ll soon be reaching for the tissues. 

Download it here.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Narrated by Kate Winslet

There’s nothing wrong with returning to some of the stories you loved as a child – especially when the audiobook is narrated by English icon Kate Winslet. And if you’re one of the rare few that has never read this Roald Dahl classic, now’s the time to meet the cult figures of Mrs Trunchball and Miss Honey. The central character and novel namesake Matilda Wormwood is an extraordinary genius whose eagerness to learn is restrained by her obtuse parents and battle-axe headmistress but luckily, help is at hand in the form of Matilda’s class teacher. There’s a good reason why Roald Dahl is so revered as a master storyteller and Kate Winslet brings this book to life with her excellent characterisation and vocal range.

Download it here.

Becoming by Michelle Obama

Narrated by Michelle Obama

With 10 million copies sold and counting, it’s clear that Becoming is going to be one of the most successful memoirs of all time. An honest and intimate look at the experiences that have shaped her, Becoming sees Michelle Obama describe the ups and downs of her life with wit and empathy. From her childhood in Chicago and the challenges of IVF, to being a mother in the spotlight and living in the world’s most famous house, no stone is left unturned. Best of all – the audiobook is narrated by Michelle herself, with all the passion and warmth you’d expect from the former First Lady.

Download it here.

My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen 

Narrated by Lily Allen

An unflinching and brave autobiography, Lily Allen’s My Thoughts Exactly is full of raw emotion, and hearing the singer read it herself makes it even more compelling. Not one to shy away from difficult subject matters, Lily touches on everything from drug addiction to miscarriage and even jokes about her past feud with Cheryl from Girls Aloud. Her debut song, Smile, was released more than a decade ago now in 2006 and it’s easy to forget just how young Lily was when she was thrust into the spotlight. This book captures the essence of her personal life – warts and all –and is well worth downloading. 

Download it here.

Normal People by Sally Rooney

Narrated by Aoife McMahon

If you haven’t yet read Sally Rooney’s Normal People, grab yourself a copy now – or better yet, download the audiobook. Focusing on the lives of two teenagers growing up in a small town in rural Ireland, it’s an insightful look at what it means to be in love as a youngster and features witty dialogue and sharp observations of human relationships. The novel is told by Aoife McMahon, an award-winning narrator and Irish actress, and her soft lilt suits the story and its setting perfectly. Listen to it now, before the TV adaptation hits our screens next year. 

Download it here.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Narrated by Elisabeth Moss

As the world gears up for the publication of The Testaments in September, why not use this opportunity to get acquainted with Margaret Atwood’s original book – The Handmaid’s Tale? Set in a dystopian world where women have few rights and are forced into distinct roles, including that of breeder, The Handmaid’s Tale is now considered a feminist classic. And who better to narrate the audiobook than Elisabeth Moss – the actress who played the lead role in the television adaptation? The story follows Offred (or June) as she navigates life in the Republic of Gilead as one of the many handmaids, forced to copulate with the male commanders and bear children for the state. Although it was written as speculative fiction back in the 1980s, much has been said about its eerie parallels with today’s political climate, making it more relevant than ever.

Download it here.

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf 

Narrated by Nicole Kidman

If you’re interested in reading more classics but don’t ever seem to have the time, audiobooks can certainly help – and where better to start than with Virginia Woolf? Narrated by Nicole Kidman (who portrayed Woolf in the film adaptation of The Hours), To The Lighthouse tells the story of the Ramsey family and their visit to the Isle of Skye in Scotland. On first listen, it’s a simple look at the – usually trivial – events taking place between family members, but on closer inspection you’ll see there are much deeper messages about creativity, imagination and the passing of time. You might think you need an English lit degree to enjoy Woolf, but this audiobook will hopefully prove you wrong.

Download it here.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari

Narrated: by Derek Perkins

In Sapiens, Dr Yuval Noah Harari spans the whole of human history, from the very first humans to walk the earth to the radical – and sometimes devastating – breakthroughs of the cognitive, agricultural and scientific revolutions. Drawing on insights from biology, anthropology, palaeontology and economics, he explores how the currents of history have shaped our human societies, the animals and plants around us, and even our personalities. 
 

Download it here.

Marching Powder by Rusty Young

Narrated by: Adam Mulraney and Rusty Young

San Pedro is Bolivia's most notorious prison. Small-time drug smuggler Thomas McFadden found himself on the inside. Marching Powder is the story of how he navigated this dark world of gangs, drugs and corruption to come out on top. Written by lawyer Rusty Young, Marching Powder – sometimes shocking, sometimes funny – is a riveting story of survival.
 Download it here.