
Best Audiobooks 2021
Oh 2021, the audiobooks you have given us. This was a year of the off-beat and off-the-wall, the other-worldly and out-of-this-world. And the comedy has become grittier than a concrete convention at the beach. Seriously, it's like authors witnessed the crazy of 2020 and told it to hold their beer.
Having said all that, there were still plenty of more recognisable genres out there and familiar names releasing books. A.G Riddle, Nick Spalding, Lisa Jewell and Rachel Abbott are just four such long-standing faves to feature.
So 2021, it was weird. But it was also rib-crackingly hilarious, heart-thumpingly thrilling and miss-your-stop engrossing. Thanks for the memories.
Top 10 Audiobooks 2021
Best...
Epic Blockbuster-Style Apocalypse
The End of Men
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READ BY
Christina Sweeney-Baird
Cathleen McCarron, Aysha Kala, Denica Fairman, Penelope Rawlins, Debra Michaels, Julia Locascio, Sasha Alexis, Robert Bradley, Sara Lynam, Rebecca Perfect, William Hope
When it comes to post-apocalyptic stories, I thought I'd seen it all. Well, this outstanding 2021 audiobook was a complete surprise. A unique premise, a captivating mystery and excellent performances all make this top of the class of '21.
Best...
Whip-Smart Snark
The Echo Chamber
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John Boyne
Richard E. Grant
This was that rare and joyful find - an instant favourite. One of the funniest, smartest books I've heard, it is undoubtedly my stand out star pick for 2021. Focused on the worst family imaginable, this rips apart all the worst aspects of modern communication. And who's our narrator? Only Hollywood heavyweight Richard E. Grant.
Best...
End of the World As We Know It
The Apocalypse Seven
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Gene Doucette
Erin Bennett, Kiff VandenHeuvel, Juliette Goglia, Zeno Robinson, Will Collyer, Grace Rolek, Farah Merani
Looms at the ready to weave together all the threads of this intricate mystery. With the affable voice of Joe Hempel to lighten the tone,this is a thoroughly engrossing tale and an unusual take on the apocalyptic genre.
Best...
Dark Humour
How to Kill Your Family
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Bella Mackie
Charly Clive, Paul Panting
Never ever judge this book by its cover. I did and thought it was a comedy. I was in for a shock. It's tongue in cheek, but about as sinister as it gets. I should instead have taken the title at face value. This is very much a does-what-it-says-on-the-tin affair. Yes. This is a blow by blow account of picking off an entire family.
Best...
Snarky Psychopaths
Never Saw Me Coming
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Vera Kurian
Brittany Pressley
Psychopaths, psychopaths everywhere, but who's the one who killed? While most suspense novels entice the audience to detect the pscho murderer, this college-based thriller does half the work, but somehow makes it better.
Best of the Rest Audiobooks 2021
You might have noticed that the list went beyond just ten best audiobooks... It was just too difficult to cut down. And since we've broken that rule, why not splurge with more of 2021's offerings?
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Joshua Ferris
Nick Offerman
Combine a bit of Shameless, some Modern Family and a touch of The Royal Tenenbaums with a soupçon of sadness.
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Ronald Malfi
Joe Hempel
A carefully crafted mystery with echoes of (and I don't bandy this about) Gone Girl
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Christina Dalcher
Brittany Pressley, Cassandra Morris
Very Close To Living Up To Expectations
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Nell Pattison
David Thorpe, Sherry Baines, Alex Wingfield, Nick Biadon, Clare-Louise English, Billy Ashcroft, Beth Eyre
Excellent, Especially the Characters
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Bella Mackie
Charly Clive, Paul Panting
A Compelling Seduction to The Dark Side
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Jamie Mollart
Mike Rogers
Half Stargate Universe with its bleak futility and half Man in the High Castle with its rumbling underbelly.
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Vera Kurian
Brittany Pressley
Aaaaaargh-mazing. Jon Ronson’s The Psychopath Test meets Alice Feeney’s Sometimes I Lie meets Scream (shout out 1996).
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Rachel Yoder
Cassandra Campbell
This is a literary art installation. Think Damien Hirst meets American Beauty.
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Matt Ritter
Matt Ritter
Like Post Apocalyptic Adventure? Sinister Dystopias? A G Riddle? This is for you.
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Alice Feeney
Stephanie Racine, Richard Armitage
Thrilling and Creepy With A Killer Twist
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Gene Doucette
Erin Bennett, Kiff VandenHeuvel, Juliette Goglia, Zeno Robinson, Will Collyer, Grace Rolek, Farah Merani
Exceptional. Beautifully Written, Brilliantly Read. The TV show Lost, but with a proper ending.
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Christina Sweeney-Baird
Cathleen McCarron, Aysha Kala, Denica Fairman, Penelope Rawlins, Debra Michaels, Julia Locascio, Sasha Alexis, Robert Bradley, Sara Lynam, Rebecca Perfect, William Hope
Beautiful, thoughtful, thought provoking. A redefinition of its genre.
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Charity Norman
Julie Maisey
One cup of Liane Moriarty, one cup Lisa Jewell and a dollop of K.L. Slater.
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Claire Seeber
Anna Cordell, Laura Brydon, Nano Nagle
A layer cake of secrets, lies and divisive characters, addictive to the last bite.
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Marissa Levien
Christine Lakin
If Margaret Atwood and George Lucas had directed The Day After Tomorrow.
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Stacey Madden
Cherlanda Estrada and Nate Drury
A Satisfying Rummage Through Tangled Minds and Stories
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Kathleen Whyman
Natalie Dew
A fun, playful, witty listen with plenty of personality.
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Eamon Ambrose
James Highfield
The lines between robots and humans blur in this fun post-apocalyptic thriller.