If the freedom of summer is inspiring you to shake up your reading routine, consider Audible Originals. With an impressive slate of exclusive audiobooks, podcasts and more, they offer plenty of fresh listening options beyond the usual bestseller lists. Featuring best-in-class voice actors, immersive sound technology and cinematic scores, these exclusive productions take audiobook listening to the next level.
The Audible Originals lineup spans nearly every genre and listening style. Looking for a feel-good romance? Audie Award nominee Cara Bastone’s “Sweet Talk” is a comical and heartwarming place to start. More of a sci-fi guy? Dennis E. Taylor’s “We Are Legion (We Are Bob)” has earned more than 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon — and counting. But that’s just the beginning: our picks also cover sports history, family dramas and plenty more to keep your headphones going all summer long.
Better yet, through July 30, you can get the first three months of an Audible membership for 99 cents a month, making it a great time to discover the platform’s exclusive expansive audio catalog.
Below, check out 10 Audible Originals we recommend adding to your summer listening list, along with a few bestselling Audible exclusive audiobooks.
What are Audible Originals?
Audible Originals are exclusive audio programs, including audiobooks, podcasts and audio dramas, that are commissioned, produced or distributed exclusively by Audible. They are not available for streaming or purchase on other media platforms.
Audible deal
Until July 30, you can claim the first three months of an Audible membership for just 99 cents a month, allowing you to explore Audible Originals and other audio products on the platform. With this deal, you can listen to one audiobook in Audible’s catalog per month, choosing from Audible Originals, new releases, exclusive series, addictive podcasts, live performance recordings and more. This membership deal ends July 30, 2026, according to the site. Note: Memberships automatically renew at $8.99 per month.
Audible Originals to listen to now
Cara Bastone is a well-known romance author, but did you know she also writes exclusive scripted stories for Audible? She’s even been nominated for an Audie Award. A rom-com Amazon describes as perfect for fans of “Love Is Blind,” “Sweet Talk” begins with a late-night call gone wrong and leads to the two central characters, Eliot and Jesse, talking all night — every night. If only Eliot knew who Jesse really was...
Looking for laughs? This audiobook delivers plenty, thanks to its quirky royal family, unexpected twists and star-studded narrators (Kate McKinnon, anyone?). An Audible Original, it’s fun, lighthearted and perfect for when you’re in the mood for something different than your typical fantasy or romance fiction.
Experience Neil Gaiman’s acclaimed novel “The Sandman” in a whole new way through this audiobook. Follow Lord Morpheus — the king of dreams — as he sets out to reclaim his lost tools. Featuring Riz Ahmed and Kat Dennings, it brings the beloved graphic novel series to life through rich sound design, mythology and unforgettable storytelling.
Discover Russell Tovey’s debut novel “Starlings.” The story follows an aspiring drag queen who is forced to confront a painful past when his estranged younger brother pops back into this life. With an all-star narration duo, Andrew Scott and George MacKay, this moving listen explores love, forgiveness and the bond between siblings.
A popular read in many high-school classrooms, “1984” is a title you’ll want to add to your listening list. A literary classic, Orwell’s landmark novel warns against the dangers of censorship and totalitarianism through a dystopian lens, as protagonist Winston Smith aims to uncover truth and create more room for human connection in his highly-surveilled society. With an original score composed by Matthew Bellamy and Ilan Eshkeri, recorded by the London Metropolitan Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, it’s a classic, thought-provoking tale brought to life in a whole new way.
Hockey fans won’t want to miss “Sidney Crosby: The Rookie Year.” This audiobook takes listeners back to Crosby’s first NHL season, following his rise from that initial year to hockey stardom. It’s a great pick for anyone who loves behind-the-scenes sports stories and hockey history.
If you’re looking for a quick thriller to add to your listening queue, “The Sisters” by Dervla McTiernan is the book for you. This fast-paced audiobook follows two sisters — one a lawyer, the other a detective — as their respective work collides with a high-profile murder investigation. After Robert Collins’ girlfriend is murdered following a fight at a local Dublin pub, is he really the guilty party or is there someone else who’s getting away with the crime. The story is packed with family drama and suspense, making it perfect for fans who love twisted crime stories.
Named Audible’s Best Science Fiction Book of 2016, “We Are Legion (We Are Bob)” is a science fiction book for the ages. After his consciousness is uploaded into a self-replicating space probe, Bob embarks on a journey across the galaxy, cloning himself to explore new worlds and ensure humanity’s survival. The audiobook has 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon, so it’s safe to say readers have enjoyed this intergalactic tale. Plus, it’s only the first book in a five book series!
History buffs will want to add this audiobook to their listening rotation. Exploring the transformative years following the Civil War, this work examines how the fight for equality shaped the United States and why many promises have remained unfulfilled. It’s a compelling listen for anyone interested in American history.
If you enjoyed “The Deal” by Elle Kennedy, you’ll want to check out this highly-rated (and steamy!) hockey romance. The lighthearted story follows two people who agree to help each other navigate dating, only to find their own chemistry impossible to ignore. With witty banter and lots of swoon-worthy lines, it’s a fun listen for romance fans.
Audible-exclusive audiobooks to listen to now
In addition to its original productions, Audible offers a growing collection of exclusive titles you won’t find on other listening platforms, including the popular audiobooks below.
The most listened to audiobook on the Audible charts and a book series that gets consistently high ratings on Goodreads, is “Dungeon Crawler Carl.” An apocalypse narrative, this listen is filled with suspense.
Shop TODAY audience development writer Danielle Murphy previously shared, “I may prefer physical books most of the time, but I not only recommend the audiobook version of the ‘Dungeon Crawler Carl’ series — I practically beg people to listen.” She added that “Matt Dinniman’s ability to meld truly bananas plot lines with heartwarming and well-done character building will never cease to amaze me. I’ve never had so much fun while reading a book simply ever.”
One of this year’s biggest blockbuster movies, “Project Hail Mary,” is based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel, and the audiobook is just as captivating. Narrated by Ray Porter, it follows a lone astronaut on a mission to save humanity with plenty of humor and edge-of-your-seat moments. Whether you’ve already seen the film or want to experience the story first, it’s a great listen.
Shop TODAY editor Emma Stessman listened to this book and recommends it to science lovers. “I’m really glad I [read this] because it’s such a rich story. There’s a lot of complicated science and I think it would have been just too much to read on a page, so it was nice to hear someone talk me through it all.”
Whether you’re re-visiting the worldwide favorite or experiencing the magic for the first time, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s’ Stone” is a must-listen. Narrated by Hugh Laurie, Riz Ahmed and more cast mates, the novel follows Harry as he first discovers he’s a wizard and begins his unforgettable journey at Hogwarts.
Frequently asked questions
Audible is an audio subscription service. Depending on the membership tier, listeners can stream one or more audiobooks per month from a catalogue of more than 1 million titles, plus access podcasts, sleep tracks, guided meditations and other audio content.
Since Audible is an Amazon company, it syncs with your Amazon or Amazon Prime account.
Audible has two membership tiers: Audible Standard and Audible Premium Plus. Regular pricing for Standard is $8.99 per month, while Premium Plus is $14.95 per month.
How we chose Audible Originals and Audible exclusive audiobooks
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products and sales out there. We research products, interview experts and use our own personal experiences to curate our recommendations and make shopping easier for our readers. For this article, we considered high ratings, award winners, best seller rankings and recurring reader recommendations, as well as editor-selected audiobooks from Audible’s library of Audible Originals and Audible-exclusive storytelling.
For paid content, the Shop TODAY editorial team independently chooses products to recommend that are sold by the retailer (in this case, Audible). The retailer does not review or approve the content. Learn more about Shop TODAY.
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