If you’re like me and you’re a reader, you like all kinds of different formats of books. With so many movie and TV adaptations coming from books, I’ve been reading physical copies, loving my e-reader, and, what’s even better, listening to audiobooks. This, of course, has led me to Libby and to Audible.
While I’m not an Audible Plus member, there are still so many books on that platform, and if you’re stacking up the credits and wondering what to use them on, I have some great picks for you. In fact, all of these audiobooks were narrated by celebrities—some with full casts, others by a single narrator.
The Dutch House – narrated by Tom Hanks
His voice is unlike any other
First up on this list is The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. The novel, released in 2019, is about the bond between two siblings, Danny and Maeve, who are exiled from their childhood home by their stepmother and must rely on each other throughout their lives. The story is told from Danny’s perspective, which leads to the celebrity narrator, Tom Hanks.
To me, Tom Hanks has always been that celebrity who … makes me feel calm, for some reason. I think it’s because he’s been in some of my favorite movies of all time or has voiced some of my favorite characters ever (Woody from Toy Story). He delivered a great narrative performance because of that experience.
With a steady and calming voice, you can’t help but be reeled into the story because of how well he speaks. His diction is perfect, and by the end, you’ll be looking for any other books that this talented man has written.
I’m Glad My Mom Died – narrated by Jeanette McCurdy
McCurdy shines in this personal and intense memoir
Now this is one that I have to recommend because I listened to it myself. I’m Glad My Mom Died is a memoir by Jeannette McCurdy, who also narrated the audiobook. If you haven’t heard of this New York Times bestseller, the memoir is about McCurdy’s life as a child actor, her struggles with fame and body issues, and how she became who she is now, while also detailing the toxic relationship she had with her mother.
There is something so raw about listening to someone read their own memoir. And for a book like I’m Glad My Mom Died, it’s even more enthralling hearing McCurdy’s voice. It almost feels like you’re listening to a friend speak her story to you, choosing to expose all the good and bad parts of her past to share her truth. Her tone is felt throughout the entire experience, and because of her easy narration, you’ll be soaring through it in no time.
Audible may seem like an expensive subscription, but you might be surprised by how much you get.
Harry Potter series – full cast
Yer a wizard, Harry
I don’t really have to get into why you should listen to Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. I mean, it’s Harry Potter. It’s a legendary series. As someone who grew up reading all the books and watching all the movies and continues to do so through an HBO Max subscription, it’s my bread and butter.
But the Audible exclusives of the Harry Potter audiobooks are honestly great. It’s fully cast, meaning that every character has a different voice, and there are plenty of great celebrities that are a part of it, including Matthew Macfadyen, Hugh Laurie, Riz Ahmed, and many more, according to Audible. In fact, there are over 200 actors. At the time of writing this, five of the seven have been released.
Taste – narrated by Stanley Tucci
Be prepared to be hungry by the end
Stanley Tucci is another big name in Hollywood that everyone knows, and one of his projects I must include on this list is Taste, his personal memoir that he narrates himself.
Taste is actually a memoir, but it explores Tucci’s life through the lens of food, his Italian-American upbringing, his entry into the movie industry, his personal struggles, and the surrounding aspect of it—eating a good meal. As a girl who loves to cook and spends so much of her time in the kitchen, it’s a great novel to read.
But truthfully, it’s even better to listen to it. Tucci’s passion and love of food are heard loud and clear. It’s just going to make you want to watch some of his movies right after.
The Sandman – full cast
What’s better than a classic fantasy?
Another full-cast audiobook series I have to put on this list is The Sandman. Narrated by author Neil Galman, each character is voiced by someone different. The multi-part audio drama is everything you need and more, following the journey of Dream, the personification of dreams.
The series is divided into three acts, each featuring an incredible cast of actors who bring the characters to life, including James McAvoy as Dream, Kat Dennings as Death, David Tennant as Loki, and many more. The list goes on and on.
Heartburn – narrated by Meryl Streep
The ultimate narrator
The last audiobook I had to put on this list is Heartburn. The book is semi-autobiographical by writer Nora Ephron. It focuses on the story of pregnant cookbook author Rachel, who learns her husband is having an affair with a socialite across the world, leading to a world of hurt, heartbreak, and healing.
Meryl Streep narrates the book, and if that sounds like a fantastic idea, you are not wrong. Streep is a great actress on the big and small screen, but her voice is also excellent for audiobooks. It’s melancholic when it has to be, sweet at other times, and just the right amount of relaxing to keep you listening for hours. I could not recommend a better book to listen to.
If you had to pick any audiobooks to listen to with your credits, these are some of the best out there, especially if you’re just getting started with Audible.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
