Whether you’re needing a break from the hectic life that is working from home or want a soundtrack to your day, there’s something so soothing about a good audiobook. At the same time, nothing ruins an audiobook faster than a narrator who rubs you the wrong way — so why not remove that possibility and stick with celebrity-narrated audiobooks instead?
If you’re worried that all celebrity-narrated audiobooks are celebrity memoirs, rest assured — these versatile stars have lent their voices to many classic works of fiction and exciting new releases, like Claire Danes reading The Handmaid’s Tale or Tom Hanks reading The Dutch House. But truth be told, there’s something particularly great about hearing celebs read their own memoirs too: Don’t you want to hear Becoming with the exact inflection Michelle Obama had in mind when she wrote it? Or hear Diane Keaton’s voice as she reads memoir Then Again?
For stars like Reese Witherspoon, narrating an audiobook is another way to get involved with their love of literature. Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine book club has catapulted many young authors to fame, and her production company often takes on adaptations of works Witherspoon has hand-selected, like the upcoming Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere. In fact, most of Witherspoon’s hit projects of the past decade have been adaptations, from Big Little Lies to Wild, Gone Girl (which she produced), and more.
Got a few hours you’re hoping to fill with an audiobook in the weeks ahead? Read on for the best celebrity-narrated picks — and where you can buy them all right now.
‘More Myself’ by Alicia Keys
According to People husband Swizz Beatz, Jay-Z, Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, and Bono help the singer produce her audiobook More Myself which is available for purchase March 31.
“This audiobook has so much amazing energy, I’ve never experienced something so intimate. It’s nuanced and surprising and musical and emotional! I love it, and I am grateful to all my friends and loved ones for joining me on this ride,” Alicia said in a statement about the audiobook.
‘Call Me By Your Name’ by André Aciman
Armie Hammer, one of the stars of the Call Me By Your Name movie, narrates this dreamy romantic tale set on the Italian Riviera. Yes please!
‘The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao’ by Junot Díaz
Junot Díaz’s fiction is always electric and addicting — and who better to narrate Oscar’s life than Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda?
‘Lincoln in the Bardo’ by George Saunders
Nick Offerman, David Sedaris, Julianne Moore, Lena Dunham, Don Cheadle, Susan Sarandon, and some 150 other narrators take part in George Saunder’s epic Lincoln in the Bardo, a conversation between ghosts in a graveyard.
‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood
If you’re still trying to read the book before diving into the Hulu show, make your life a little easier with this Claire Danes-narrated version of Margaret Atwood’s classic.
‘One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories’ by B J. Novak
B.J. Novak — AKA Ryan on The Office — gathered up his friends to narrate his collection of short stories, including Office co-stars Mindy Kaling, Jenna Fischer, and Rainn Wilson, along with stars like Julianne Moore, Carey Mulligan, Jason Schwartzman, and more.
‘Heartburn’ by Nora Ephron
Any time we hear Nora Ephron and Meryl Streep in the same sentence, we’re in. Let Streep lull you through the holiday season with her reading of Ephron’s warm, witty tale of how divorce plays out in the kitchen.
‘Go Set A Watchman’ by Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s long-awaited sequel to To Kill A Mockingbird is narrated by Reese Witherspoon. In 2015, Witherspoon told Katie Couric about the process of recording: “I had to keep reminding myself it was written in the ’50s, and these were the complex issues that people of the day were dealing with,” the actress said. “Modern thinking was just evolving about race relations in our country. So I think you will feel all that complexity in the piece.”
‘The End of the Affair’ by Graham Greene
Set in Clapham during WWII, this Graham Greene story of a torrid affair is read by Colin Firth — who lends it all the English gentleman-ness this wartime love story requires.
‘The Dutch House’ by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett’s highly-praised, multi-generational story The Dutch House has found a new narrator in America’s sweetheart, Tom Hanks. Hanks will read as adult Danny Conroy, who tells the story of his family.
‘Becoming’ by Michelle Obama
You can now listen to Michelle Obama’s wildly successful memoir Becoming with Michelle herself as the narrator — and now that that’s an option, is there really any other way to read it?
‘I Got This’ by Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson’s 2012 memoir I Got This: How I Changed My Ways and Lost What Weighed Me Down tells the story of her childhood in Chicago and her rise to fame on American Idol — all narrated by Hudson herself.
‘Stirring the Pot’ by Jenny McCarthy
Jenny McCarthy’s Stirring the Pot: My Recipe for Getting What You Want Out of Life, this memoir-slash-self-help book will make you laugh out loud and maybe even get inspired. McCarthy’s killer timing helps.
‘Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself’ by Alan Alda
Alan Alda’s 2008 Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself shows the actor taking a reflective view: How do we find meaning in life? How do we find value? With Alda’s voice narrating, this is perfect for a long (and slightly existential) drive.
‘The Best Advice I Ever Got’ by Katie Couric
Katie Couric’s best-selling 2011 book of lessons is read by the legendary TV host. Between juicy celeb stories and key reflections on how to get ahead, this is a must-read (or must-listen) for anyone curious about what happens when the mics are off.
‘Then Again’ by Diane Keaton
Diane Keaton’s autobiography Then Again is just as charming as you’d expect, letting us in on Keaton’s childhood, family, career, and everything in between. She’s wryly funny, often emotional, and completely candid — just like the best of her performances.
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