Every year, AudioFile's editors choose the year's best audiobooks as a celebration of exceptional narrations—and the voices who created them. The audiobooks on our list of 2023 Best Audiobooks are all great listening. Some hold difficult truths, some are delightful escapes, some are inspiring, and some are just fabulous entertainment. We chose titles that are celebrated by our reviewers and also have a certain longevity—we want to be able to recommend these titles year after year.
We'll be celebrating the Best Audiobooks all month long. Follow our Behind the Mic podcast to hear upcoming interviews with some of the talented voices behind this year's outstanding audiobooks, starting with the author, narrator, and illustrator Jarrett J. Krosoczka, whose graphic memoir SUNSHINE makes for outstanding listening. But first, listen in to Editor Robin Whitten and host Jo Reed introducing this year's Best Audiobooks, below.
Stay tuned for more insights into all of our Best Audiobooks picks right here on AudioFile Magazine, where our article contributors will be sharing their thoughts and helping you find your next favorite listen—not to mention some great gift ideas. And join in the festivities on our social media channels, where we'll be featuring each of the honorees.
Our nine categories celebrate 53 audiobooks, and this year we're introducing a new category, Audio Originals. We did this to call special attention to how audiobook publishers continue to use creative ideas for enhanced listening experiences. The group includes graphic novels that have been adapted for audio and audio programs with full casts and expansive soundscapes. We love to hear how publishers continue to explore the audio medium and make creative production decisions. Sometimes a program is completely "original" and stands alone as audio-only, and sometimes a title has a print counterpart. The many options of full cast, ensemble, duet, and single voice are fascinating to sample and explore.
Please join us in celebrating these amazing narrators, authors, producers, and publishers and the audiobooks they have brought into our lives. So much good listening!
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Safiya Sinclair photo by Beowulf Sheehan. Justine Lupe photo by Emily Knecht. Rupert Degas photo courtesy of the narrator. Adenrele Ojo photo by Michael Roud Photography. Jarrett J. Krosoczka courtesy of StudioJJK. Dominic Hoffman photo courtesy of the narrator. Daniel Henning photo by Stephen Mosher. Eunice Wong photo by Hoebermann Studio. Dion Graham photo by Max Flatow. Gail Shalan photo by Jessica Osber.
