Listen Up: 26 Audiobooks to Start 2024 Off Right

Folks seem to have strong opinions on audiobooks and whether or not they “count” as actually reading. The science has been considered, as has history, and we here at Parnassus are here to tell you that we believe audiobooks absolutely count as reading. In fact, when folks ask us how our booksellers are able to read as many books as we do, our answer is often attributed to our friends at Libro.fm, our audiobook partner. Wish you could get back to that completely absorbing read while you’re doing chores? Jogging? Driving? Audiobooks are your answer, and you can support your local independent bookstore when you listen on Libro.fm. Our booksellers have recommended some titles they especially enjoyed on audio to get your 2024 reading goals off to a good start!

FICTIONRecommended by Maddie

The Three of Us 

By Ore Agbaje-Williams, Narrated by Jake Fairbrother, T’Nia Miller & Tariye Peterside

This audiobook is absolutely perfect. Three different POVs, three different narrators, and each of them reads their part with such personality and conviction, I was immediately dissuaded from my previously held belief that “I can’t do fiction on audio.” Set over the course of a single evening, The Three of Us is packed with so much tension it will have you holding your breath as if you’re really in the kitchen with these three friends witnessing them insult and jab at each other.

Recommended by Sarah

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water: A Novel 

By Angie Cruz, Narrated by Kimberly M. Wetherell & Rossmery Almonte

Told in a series of 12 sessions between a career counselor and our narrator, Cara Romero, this is the equally heartwarming, heartbreaking, and laugh-out-loud funny story story of Cara’s life as a Dominican immigrant in New York. Cara’s vivacity and unabashed confidence are infectious, and her growth as she faces her flaws is unexpectedly touching. Narrator Rossmery Almonte brought so much life to the text. I can’t recommend this audiobook highly enough!

Recommended by Rae Ann

Carrie Soto Is Back: A Novel 

By Taylor Jenkins Reid, Narrated by Stacy Gonzalez, Mary Carillo, Patrick Mcenroe, Rob Simmelkjaer, Brendan Wayne, Max Meyers, Reynaldo Piniella, Vidish Athavale, Tom Bromhead, Heath Miller, Julia Whelan & Sara Arrington

A tennis pro comes out of retirement to try to reclaim her record, while being coached by her dad. This multi-cast audiobook is fabulous!

Recommended by Cat

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date 

By Ashley Herring Blake, Narrated by Kristen DiMercurio

The final book in Ashley’s Bright Falls trilogy, you will fall head over heels for both Stevie and Iris. And no, you don’t have to have read the first two books to enjoy this one but I recommend it because they are both so good. A one night stand gone horribly wrong, this is a story about falling in love but also being brave and choosing yourself.

Recommended by Katie

Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake: A Novel 

By Mazey Eddings, Narrated by Summer Morton & Will Peters

If I were to teach a course on the genre of romance, Lizzie Blake’s Best Mistake would most certainly be on the syllabus, and Summer Morton and Will Peters make for a fantastic listening experience. These two perfectly encompass Lizzie’s too-much-girl and Rake’s beloved stick-in-the-mud energy. Plus is there anything sexier than an Australian accent? Nope.

Recommended by Tara

Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect: A Novel 

By Benjamin Stevenson, Narrated by Barton Welch & Megan Smart

I could listen to an Australian man talk all day long, but add a fast-paced mystery in and it’s an unbeatable combination.

Recommended by Rachel

Sword Catcher 

By Cassandra Clare, Narrated by Christian Coulson & Fiona Hardingham

Listening to Sword Catcher was like living in a movie! Both narrators are fantastic, and hearing all the invented languages read aloud was fascinating. You won’t want it to ever end.

Recommended by Marcia

First Lie Wins

By Ashley Elston, Narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

Start your year with a con-artist thriller!

Recommended by RJ

Siren Queen 

By Nghi Vo, Narrated by Natalie Naudus

I will read anything Nghi Vo writes, and I will listen to anything Natalie Naudus narrates, so imagine my joy whenever these two cross paths. Siren Queen is a gorgeous novel set in an alternate-universe old Hollywood full of strange magic that alternates between dreamlike and nightmarish. An immersive listen (or read) you won’t forget.

Recommended by Natalie

Maybe Next Time

By Cesca Major, Narrated by Clare Corbett

A beautiful love story of a married couple who have become disconnected in the midst of their never ending to-do lists. Follow Emma as she must relive the day that ends in her husbands untimely death. The ending will leave you needing to hear more! This time-loop novel is the perfect listen for a cozy day at home. The narrator’s lovely British accent took over as the voice in my head for days after I finished!

Recommended by Rae Ann

The Lincoln Highway: A Novel 

By Amor Towles, Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini, Marin Ireland & Dion Graham

An 18 year-old is released from a juvenile work farm. But he doesn’t go home alone. Two escapees traveled with him. Soon they’re on another journey to New York. A road trip audiobook narrated by multiple characters.

Recommended by Katie

Daughter of the Moon Goddess

By Sue Lynn Tan, Narrated by Natalie Naudus

If I see that Natalie Naudus is narrating a book it’s an automatic buy for me. Usually people are like that about authors, but if you casually scroll through the list of books narrated by Natalie she only picks winners. So it’s almost always a sure thing. I loved Daughter of the Moon Goddess immensely, with magic, dragons, Chinese Folklore, AND a love story. It has literally everything.

Recommended by RJ

All the Right Notes 

By Dominic Lim, Narrated by Aaron J Albano

This beautiful queer love story about a piano player/composer and his second chance romance is made all the more amazing by the musical touches in the audiobook. No spoilers, but there’s a scene towards the end where the audio production actually had me choked up.

NONFICTIONRecommended by RJ

The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and a Dangerous Obsession 

By Michael Finkel, Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini & Michael Finkel

I have not been able to stop talking about this book since I finished listening to it. It’s the story about the world’s most prolific (yet astoundingly unremarkable) art thief. While it’s a short listen, it’s fascinating beginning to end, full of twists and immersive details.

Recommended by Cat

The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA 

By Liza Mundy, Narrated by Liza Mundy

I love an untold story from history, but this history of women in the CIA from its inception up to today is fascinating, infuriating, and action-packed. I was astounded again and again at the sheer daring it took for so many of these women to create unconventional lives for themselves, not to mention the moral nuances and gray areas they had to navigate.

Recommended by Sarah

We Are Never Meeting in Real Life.: Essays 

By Samantha Irby, Narrated by Samantha Irby

If you think you’re “just not an audiobook person,” I dare you to listen to any of Sam Irby’s essay collections and not fall in love with hearing an author read their work to you. Irby’s wit and humor will have you laughing to the point of tears!

Recommended by Tara

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) 

By Mindy Kaling, Narrated by Mindy Kaling, B. J. Novak, Michael Schur & Brenda Withers

Reading this book is like being on a 4 hour call with your bestie. There’s workplace tea, sparkling wit, and the book is voiced by Kaling herself which makes for a delightful listening experience.

YOUNG ADULTRecommended by Rae Ann

You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory 

By Ruta Sepetys, Narrated by Ruta Sepetys

Ruta Sepetys gives writing tips interspersed with stories from her childhood and her first career managing rock bands in LA. Bonus: Ruta narrates this one herself!

Recommended by RJ

Legendborn 

By Tracy Deonn, Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt

If for some reason you haven’t read Legendborn yet (and I’m the firm opinion everyone who likes YA fantasy should read Legendborn), please let the quality of its audiobook convince you. This book full of family secrets and Arthurian magic is full of deep emotions that narrator Joniece Abbott-Pratt conveys beautifully. Plus the sequel is already out!

Recommended by Tara

Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment 

By Arushi Avachat, Narrated by Nikhaar Kishnani

A must read for fans of Mindy Kaling’s hit show Never Have I Ever.

Recommended by Rachel

The Raven Boys 

By Maggie Stiefvater, Narrated by Will Patton

I reread The Raven Boys every year, but now I always re-listen! Just the best production for the best series! The narrator does a fantastic job bringing beloved characters to life, and there’s music composed and played by the author herself!

Recommended by RJ

Iron Widow 

By Xiran Jay Zhao, Narrated by Rong Fu

Iron Widow is such a cinematic blockbuster of a book, with an inventive setting, sci-fi action, great characters, and excellent romance. I listened to it through Libro.fm, and now I’m counting down the days until the sequel.

INDEPENDENT READERSRecommended by RJ

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

By Kwame Mbalia, Narrated by Amir Abdullah

The Tristan Strong books are amazing reads, and equally amazing listens. It’s a high-stakes fantasy adventure with great characters and humor, and Amir Abdullah nails the delivery of every single joke. If anyone is enjoying the new Percy Jackson series and wants to check out something from the “Rick Riordan Presents” imprint, this is a great place to start.

Recommended by Rachel

The Puppets of Spelhorst

By Kate DiCamillo, Narrated by Allan Corduner

As always, Kate DiCamillo writes another must listen for ALL ages!! Puppets of Spelhorst follows a troupe of five puppets who face the darkest parts of life together and come out on the other side. Their story holds core truths that will connect with all readers and sweep them away on an epic and hopeful adventure.

Recommended by Rae Ann

Clean Getaway 

By Nic Stone, Narrated by Dion Graham

Scoob’s G-Ma takes him on a surprise road trip using the Travelers Green Book as their guide. A break from school turns into an unexpected adventure into G-Ma’s past and a few surprises about the present. The narrator makes you feel like you’re in the RV with them.

Recommended by RJ

The Dragonet Prophecy

By Tui T. Sutherland, Narrated by Shannon McManus

I have listened to all 15+ books in this series. Narrator Shannon McManus truly brings the colorful, adventurous, funny, and dangerous characters of Tui T. Sutherland’s dragon-filled world to life, which is no small feat with a cast that seems to grow exponentially with each new book.

First Editions Club: January Selection Martyr!: A novel

By Kaveh Akbar

January matters. A lot of people start their First Editions Club subscription in January. The first book of the year should be smart, dazzling, different, not just a book you’d want to read but a book you’d want to keep. I called my friend Todd who knows everything that’s going on in publishing. Did he have any suggestions?

He said, yes. He said, problem solved. He said, Martyr!

Kaveh Akbar is a celebrated poet who is about to be a celebrated novelist. Martyr! is a first novel of depth and complexity, tragedy and humor. Cyrus Shams is a poet, a drunk and a seeker, who wants both to bury his past and dive into it headfirst, because what we want is never just one thing. Cyrus was born in Iran where his mother’s plane was shot down because of a stupid error. His father then takes him to the States to raise him in the Midwest where he’s found a job on a chicken farm. The past is too enormous to bear, and the future too unknown to decipher. Cyrus, with the help of friends (and one friend in particular) is left to try and figure out this present moment.

This book is thrilling. There’s no other word for it. It’s like watching the novel itself be reinvented. Make a note of the quote from Tommy Orange, “An absolute jewel of a novel. A diamond. I haven’t loved a book this much in years. Kaveh’s writing is so thoroughly powerful and gorgeous you can feel it from where dreams come, and all over your brain, and straight from the bottom of your heart. This book does everything. It is so funny and sad and true and beautiful. Kaveh Akbar is one of my favorite writers. Ever.”

That pretty much sums it up.

Enjoy.

Ann Patchett

More about our First Editions Club: Every member receives a first edition of the selected book of the month, signed by the author. Books are carefully chosen by our staff of readers, and our picks have gone on to earn major recognition including the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the PEN/Faulkner Award. Plus, there’s no membership fee or premium charge for these books. Build a treasured library of signed first editions and always have something great to read! Makes a FABULOUS gift, too.

Sprout Book Club: January Selection Love Is My Favorite Color

By Nina Laden, Melissa Castrillon (Illustrator)

The January 2024 Sprout Book Club selection is Love is My Favorite Color by Nina Laden and Melissa Castrillon. This picture book celebrates the wonder of every day with beautiful illustrations to carry us on this journey.

Early praise for the book:

“Another treasure from a well-matched team.” – Kirkus

Sprout Book Club is the book subscription box for picture book lovers. Every month members will receive a first edition picture book.  Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite picture book lover for 3, 6, or 12 months. 

Spark Book Club: January Selection The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum

By Lisa Yee, Dan Santat (Illustrator)

The January 2024 Spark Book Club selection is The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum written by Lisa Yee and illustrated by Dan Santat. Olivia Cobin Zang is suddenly dropped off at the strangest boarding school ever, a reforming arts school (RASCH). But the academy isn’t what it seems. And Olivia has arrived just in time.

Early Sparks for the novel:

“A fantastical blend of quirky characters and goofy adventures.” – Kirkus

Spark Book Club is the first editions club for middle grade readers.  Every month members will receive a first edition middle grade novel — plus a letter written by the author especially for club members. Makes a great gift for the independent reader! Sign ups are available for 3, 6, or 12 months.

ParnassusNext: January Selection A Fragile Enchantment

By Allison Saft

The January 2024 ParnassusNext selection is A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft. A magical dressmaker travels to a neighboring kingdom to design the wardrobe for a royal wedding. Her magic infuses fabric with emotions, but comes at a cost to her. Beneath the fairytale exterior lies secrets that could destroy the kingdom if exposed. When the dressmaker begins to fall for the prince, her life may be in danger in this magical tale.

Early praise for the novel:

“Fans of Regency romances will revel in this fantastical affair.” – Kirkus

ParnassusNext is the book subscription box for YA lovers. Every member of ParnassusNext receives a first edition hardcover of each month’s selected book, signed by the author. There is no membership fee to join — and no line to stand in for the autograph. Not only will you have one of the best YA books of the month when it comes out, you’ll have it straight from the author’s hands, with an original, authentic signature! Set up a subscription for yourself or buy a gift membership for your favorite YA reader for 3, 6, or 12 months.