Best Audiobooks of 2019, Part 1

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Living in the DC area, it’s nearly always a certainty that you’ll have a long commute. Since I typically spend about 2 hours in the car each day, the radio gets old pretty fast. As a lifelong lover of books, I delved into audiobooks with an audible subscription on Prime Day last summer and have loved every second of it. I really miss reading but don’t typically have a lot of time to sit down and read a book, but those hours in the car are PERFECT for audiobooks – and I’ve shared below some of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to so far this year!

Having an audible subscription guarantees that I get at least one audiobook a month. (You can click here to try it yourself and get two free books with your trial!) I also frequently get sale alerts for specials on certain audiobooks and sales on credits, so it’s easy to supplement my one book a month. The rest of the time I get audiobooks from my local library (I use Libby for this and it’s great) or listen to podcasts. Way more entertaining than the radio!

So without further ado, here are my recent favorites – I hope you find something you love and give audiobooks a try!

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I figured I’d start with my favorite of the bunch. I had high expectations for this book – and it met them and more. I started the year with this one, and I am so thankful I did! So inspiring, and it’s amazing to hear all about her life and where she came from. As a fellow working mom, I found so much to relate to in the chapters about when her kids were little – the struggles, the solutions she found, and how she handled it all. Michelle Obama reads this herself, too! I recommend this one to everyone!

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

This book came highly recommended (and is a pick from Reese Witherspooon) but I wasn’t sure exactly what I was getting into. I was pleasantly surprised and instantly hooked by the story. Kya’s not your typical protagonist and her resilience and story keeps you wanting more from the beginning. I loved this one so much.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

I am a big fan of historical fiction – especially anything related to World War I or II. This one has a network of female spies, a lost cousin, and a mission for the truth. I love how it went back and forth between 1915 and 1947, telling two women’s stories and how they intersected. The characters are relatable and fully formed, and I couldn’t get enough – and I’m already listening to another book by Kate Quinn (and read by the same narrator)!

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

I actually had gotten this book in the kindle version when it first came out and just couldn’t get into it (despite Kristin Hannah being one of my favorite authors). Then I opted to listen to it instead – and that was so much easier to get into! The story is fascinating. I know nothing about Alaska, and the story of survival here is incredible – one that will stay with you long after you finish. This is one I definitely found to be better on audiobook than reading!

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

This one took a little bit to get into, and was not at all what I was expecting – but so good!

Crazy Rich Asians Series (Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, Rich People Problems) by Kevin Kwan

These are just so much fun. I think the first book is definitely my favorite and I loved all the little pieces to the story that got left out of the movie. Recommend all three for a fun listen, and the cultural references are so eye-opening! I had no idea what Singapore was like before this!

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Haunting and beautiful. This one is sad, but the story is real and raw.

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

I am a sucker for WWII historical fiction. This one is full of strong female characters and there are so many layers to them you wouldn’t expect!

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton

This one was a Reese Witherspoon selection and I loved it! It’s a beautiful love story, not just of people, but of a country. The narrator on this one is amazing too!

Stretched Too Thin by Jessica Turner

If you are a working mom, this book will resonate so much with you. I’m tempted to listen again, I loved it so much!

Forget Having it All: How America Messed up Motherhood and How to Fix it by Amy Westervelt

This one is a must-listen for all moms, in my opinion. We can and should do so much better for America’s moms, and this examines some of the ways we can do it.

Those are my picks for this year so far, and I’ve got a whole list going of what I want to listen to next. I have loved my audible membership and you might too! If you’d like to try it, you can click here to try it yourself and get two free books with your trial.