Best Contemporary
Audiobooks

Contemporary Audiobooks

Contemporary audiobooks wear hats of all shapes and sizes. Visit Audible or Amazon and you'll find everything from Nick Hornby’s satire to the saucy works of Jilly Cooper to Anne Rice's darker Interview with a Vampire in the contemporary audiobooks section.

What is Contemporary Fiction?

This is not to say that the literary world has abandoned the task of defining contemporary fiction. The general consensus is that contemporary audio books must be set after World War II, Beyond that, criteria are less clear, but usually include character based stories based in reality. They tend to examine aspects of society, politics and social interactions.

Phew. That narrows it down a bit. And does start to bring certain authors to mind. That done, I think it's time to meet some of our lovely contestants. Book 1: What's your name and where'd you come from? (Apologies all non-UK readers. This reference will elude you. And those who do understand, I'm sorry for the song now stuck in your head).

Contemporary Audiobooks 2021

In 2021, contemporary means murder, with audiobooks such as How To Kill Your Family and The Thursday Murder Club at the top of bestseller lists.

Top 10 Contemporary Audiobooks

BY

Nick Spalding

A Long Way Down

Nick Hornby is the king of contemporary fiction, applying his wry satirical charm to a variety of modern scenarios. A Long Way Down is an unlikely, but brilliant comedy about a group of misfits who meet at the top of a tower block while contemplating suicide.

1

BY

Nick Hornby

Read Review

READ BY

Scott Brick, Simon Vance, Kate Reading

BY

Nick Spalding

Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine

Contrary to what the title would have you believe, Eleanor Oliphant Is not even remotely okay. Things get extremely dark at times, but this is nonetheless an inspiring novel built on the small things that make a big difference.

2

BY

Gail Honeyman

Read Review

READ BY

Cathleen McCarron

BY

Nick Spalding

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

When a civil servant is tasked to go beyond his usual stilted world to do the impossible, understated British hilarity ensues. Paul Torday at his best.

3

BY

Paul Torday

Read Review

READ BY

John Sessions, Samantha Bond, Fenella Woolgar

BY

Nick Spalding

The Echo Chamber

A despicable family kindly demonstrates the worst aspects of modern existence and social media in a story that shuffles inevitably towards disaster.

4

BY

John Boyne

Read Review

READ BY

Richard E. Grant

BY

Nick Spalding

Grown Ups

Marian Keyes is both writer and narrator of this endearing comedy about family, money and what it really means to grow up.

5

BY

Marian Keyes

Read Review

READ BY

Marian Keyes

BY

Nick Spalding

Fat Chance

Weight loss, reality radio and middle age are all under the microscope when married couple Zoe and Greg Milton compete together to win £50,000.

6

BY

Nick Spalding

Read Review

READ BY

Heather Wilds, Napoleon Ryan

BY

Nick Spalding

The Rosie Project (Don Tillman, Book #1)

This unusual romantic comedy centres on the inimitable Don Tilman. A genetics professor, Don overcomes his social difficulties in order to undertake a search for love, The Wife Project.

7

BY

Graeme Simsion

Read Review

READ BY

Dan O'Grady

BY

Nick Spalding

Why Mummy Drinks (Why Mummy #1)

Motherhood is hard, but in Gill Sims' hands it is also hilarious. Meet Ellen, a harried mum who grabs life by the glass stem and downs a giant glug.

8

BY

Gill Sims

Read Review

READ BY

Gabrielle Glaister

BY

Nick Spalding

What Alice Forgot

Alice is 29. She is also 39. She wakes from a coma missing her memories of the past ten years. Years in which her life has changed dramatically. In the charming, captivating style unique to Liane Moriarty, we watch as Alice pieces her world back together.

9

BY

Liane Moriarty

Read Review

READ BY

Caroline Lee

BY

Nick Spalding

A Man Called Ove

Prepare to fall in love with a grumpy 58 year-old man called Ove. Heartbreaking, uplifting, inspiring and funny in equal measure, this unique tale is one that will stick with you.

10

BY

Fredrik Backman

Read Review

READ BY

Joan Walker

Best of the Rest Contemporary Audiobooks

Phew. That was difficult. Selecting just ten top contemporary audiobooks was a wrench. So here are yet more brilliant examples of this genre, listed A-Z.