Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
With a narration time of only two hours, Binti is a sci-fi novella that tells the tale of a young woman who breaks tradition, leaving her home and family to go to an intergalactic university. On her way, her journey through the stars is interrupted as a nightmarish alien race attacks her ship — and she must find a way to survive.
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
If you loved reading about Winnie-the-Pooh as a child, and you remember Pooh having a powerful way about him that you couldn’t quite put your finger on, this two-hour book will likely hook you. Exploring Taoism through the lens of Pooh, Hoff shows us how an ancient philosophy can be brought into the here-and-now with his fun and insightful take on a classic story.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
First-generation Dominican American Xiomara feels out of place in her life. In between religious pressures, family strain, and identity struggles, she’s trying to find her voice in a world that doesn’t want to hear from her. But through her poetry, she finds strength. Written in verse and only three hours long, this book is an immersive experience.
Animal Farm by George Orwell
When the animals at Manor Farm revolt and overthrow their master, they decide to create a new society based on equality and honesty. But manipulation by those in power soon ruins the ideals the community was built upon. One of the greatest satires ever written, Animal Farm is a classic utopia-turned-dystopia story that explores how blind allegiance to political leaders leads only to our downfall. Even if you read it in high school, this timeless tale is only three hours long and well-worth another listen.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Through a wardrobe door lies a magical land, frozen in eternal winter, waiting to be rescued from the clutches of the White Witch. When four siblings discover the secret beyond the coats in the closet, they venture in — and are swept into the fight to free the people and creatures of Narnia. At four hours, this enchanting tale is perfect for kids and adults alike.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Told through the eyes of Nick Carraway, The Great Gatsby follows the enigmatic millionaire Jay Gatsby as he obsesses over his ex-lover, Daisy Buchanan, who is married to another man. Dishonesty and deceit lead to tragedy. A classic piece of literature exploring the power of wealth and the American Dream, this Jazz Age tale will steep you in the 1920s aesthetic for all five hours of narration.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Oskar is a nine-year-old boy coping with his father’s death in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. When he accidentally breaks a vase hidden in his father’s closet, he finds an envelope and a strange key. He embarks on a quest to find the matching lock in order to discover what the key opens. This ten-hour audiobook covers themes of grief, survival, and ultimately, healing.
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
In this six-hour long classic whodunit by the mistress of mystery herself, 10 strangers are lured to a mansion on a private island by a mysterious host — who never shows up to the party. Soon they find out that each guest is carrying a dark secret, and before the end of the night, they begin to die. As the body count increases, they fight to uncover who among them is the killer before it’s too late.
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Often described as a fairytale for adults, Stardust is an enchanting six-hour audiobook perfect for those who love adventures, romance, and a little dose of magic. Trying to win the heart of the beautiful Victoria, Tristan Thorn ventures out on a mission to retrieve the star they saw fall from the sky. To do so, he must cross over into the mysterious land beyond the wall. What he discovers there is a world he never thought possible and a star unlike anything he’d imagined.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
When the two young boys meet at a swimming pool, an unlikely friendship emerges that teaches them not only about who they are, but also who they want to be. This seven-hour, coming-of-age audiobook (narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda) is a beautiful, lyrical story about friendship and self-discovery that highlights themes of sexuality, identity, manhood, acceptance, and the human condition.
About the Author: Kelsey Fritts
Kelsey is a writer, editor, anthropologist, and bookworm. She's also the author of two young adult fantasy novels. When she's not out exploring in nature or playing with her ridiculously spoiled dog, you can find Kelsey curled up with a mug of hot cocoa and a novel—likely one by Laini Taylor, Leigh Bardugo, N.K. Jemisin, Margaret Atwood, or Ursula K. Le Guin.
