AudioFile's Best Audiobooks of 2024

DANGEROUS VISIONS by Harlan Ellison [Ed.], read by Mara Wilson, Jim Meskimen, Simon Vance, Steven Jay Cohen, Johnny Heller, Edoardo Ballerini, Ramiz Monsef, Neil Hellegers, JD Jackson, P.J. Ochlan, Dion Graham, Natalie Naudus, Vikas Adam, Scott Aiello, Grover Gardner, Joe Hempel, Steve West, Robert Fass, James Patrick Cronin, Joel Froomkin, Neil Shah, John Pirhalla, Heath Miller, Scott Brick, Shiromi Arserio, Thom Rivera, Bradford Hastings, Feodor Chin, Stefan Rudnicki, Bronson Pinchot, Mark Sanderlin, Suzanne Toren

Thirty-three stories from thirty-two legends in the sci-fi genre are narrated by a selection of talented narrators. Each narrator also wraps up their short story with a compelling performance of the story’s afterword. The collection is half fantastic science fiction and half commentary of the sci-fi industry with insightful thoughts from Ellison and all the authors in the collection.

GEORGE ORWELL'S 1984 by George Orwell, Joe White [Adapt.], read by Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott, Tom Hardy, Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther, Katie Leung

Narrators Andrew Garfield and Cynthia Erivo lead a crew of inspired English actors in creating a full-cast, filmlike 21st-century reimagining of one of the twentieth century's most important novels. The production is peppered with eerie urban soundscapes and a haunting musical score. 1984—sounding more dystopian than ever.

HOW WOMEN MADE MUSIC by Alison Fensterstock [Ed.], Ann Powers [Intro.], National Public Radio, read by Alison Fensterstock, Ann Powers, et al.

Alison Fensterstock and Ann Powers deliver an ambitious, sprawling project recentering women in the history of music. Often, performers’ own voices are present, providing their perspectives directly. It's exhilarating to hear Dolly Parton, Nina Simone, and Queen Latifah in the mix, giving listeners this mosaic of music history. The impact is undeniable.

JOURNEY'S END by R.C. Sherriff, read by James Callis, Josh Cole, Jack Cutmore-Scott, Tobias Echeverria, Adam Godley, Ian Ogilvy, Darren Richardson, Simon Templeman, Matthew Wolf

By the waning months of WWI, English troops remained dug in 100 yards from the enemy. Waiting. In this superb audio adaptation of this 1928 classic drama, the naturalistic dialogue is what will draw the listener into the trenches—it’s that realistic and affecting. The production features a cast of top-tier English character actors. Tense, all too human, and devastating—like war itself.

MOON CALLED by Patricia Briggs, read by Khaya Fraites, Gregory Linington, Christopher McLinden, Rayner Gabriel, Chris Stinson, Renee Dorian, and a Full Cast

A full cast of creatures—including a shape-shifting coyote, werewolves, vampires, fae, the local witch, and humans—are depicted by a talented cast of voice actors. Most impressive is Khaya Fraites, who takes on the role of first-person narrator Mercy Thompson, a plucky 20-something mechanic and shape-shifter. Joyous yips, howls, and growls create a clever soundscape that also includes clicking claws and ethereal music.

WHEN THE SEA CAME ALIVE by Garrett M. Graff [Ed.], read by Edoardo Ballerini, Garrett M. Graff [Note], and a Full Cast

This excellent full-cast production uses the recollections of those who participated in D-Day—its planning, training, and actual combat—to tell the story of the largest amphibious assault in history. The author, Edoardo Ballerini, and nearly 25 other narrators portray the 700 roles in this book. This moving history, which makes it seem like one is hearing from the actual participants, is difficult to pause.