18 full-cast audiobooks to get lost in this summer
Megan McKeough
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Evans’ instant hit celebrates the power of slowing down and reconnecting with loved ones through writing. The heartwarming page-turner follows Sybil Van Antwerp, a sentimental scribe who sits down everyday to write letters to her loved ones, her friends, her foes, and celebrities she admires. The letters are all sent, except for one recipient she often writes to, but keeps the letters to herself—until one day, she decides to face her past and find the power to forgive. Fable reader Nadine: “This was such a beautiful and unique way of conveying what it is to be human. I listened to this book on audio and it was truly a work of art.”My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney
Feeney’s suspenseful saga is narrated by an-star cast including Bel Powley, Henry Rowley, and Richard Armitage. The mind-bending thriller follows an artist who returns to her seaside home one day to discover her key doesn’t fit in the lock, and her husband claims to be married to a complete stranger. As she navigates a web of deception and obsession, reality becomes harder to decipher. Fable reader Brooke: “Okay i flew through this SO FAST!!!!! The audio production was so good and I had no idea, the twist had me flabbergasted”The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
Graham’s gripping tale of survival, revenge, and Indigenous power offers an utterly unique take on a horror novel that has wowed readers with its bold mix of historical accuracy and thrilling fiction. This full-cast audiobook really brings the characters to life in a story that already jumps off the page.Fable reader Annie: “Absolutely incredible... I want to read/listen all over again. The audiobook narration was SO GOOD, I heard their voices when I'd swap back to reading.”There There by Tommy Orange
This heart-wrenching fiction follows twelve characters from Native communities, all in route to the Big Oakland Powwow—an intertribal cultural event connecting generations of Native Americans. When they get there, they discover that they share more than just their painful history. Orange’s lyrical and poignant prose are recited beautifully by a cast of narrators, highlighting a dark and complex history through a range of unique perspectives.Fable reader Rhys: ““Really solid audiobook. Great intertwining of the characters, and it felt like a book where you can truly flip your feelings and emotions about a character from chapter to chapter, multiple times.”Happiness Falls by Angie Kim
Kim’s fast-paced thriller starts with the abrupt disappearance of a father, leaving his family to pick up the pieces of what happened. Their desperate search for answers threatens to reveal family mysteries that have long been buried. Narrated by the author herself along with an epic cast, Happiness Falls is a twisty audiobook of love, loyalty, and family connection.Fable reader Ashley: “This audiobook was fantastic. It felt more like a play. I was on the edge of my seat most of the story and tore through this in less than three days.”Lincoln in the Bardo by George SaundersSaunders’ highly acclaimed novel has been transformed into a cinematic experience in this audio edition. The astounding 166-person cast features award-winning actors, authors, and musicians. such as Don Cheadle, Nick Offerman, Lena Dunham, David Sedaris, and Susan Sarandon, just to name a few.Lincoln in the Bardo is a wildly imaginative historical fiction about Abraham Lincoln’s loss of his son during the height of the Civil War. Saunders weaves in supernatural elements as deceased Willie Lincoln finds himself in purgatory, for an altogether unique journey of love, loss, and legacy.Fable reader Nicholl: “The audiobook was a full cast of talented people, it was amazing. The book itself was a wild ride, I have no words 😂”Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Yarros’ beloved genre-blending series is packed with romance, suspense, and page-turning adventure, following the frail and bookish Violet as she attempts to survive the formidable Basgiath War College.Dramatically read by an epic cast and paired with scene-setting music and immersive sound effects, this audiobook is the ultimate fantasy escape.If you enjoyed this audiobook, be sure to check out Yarros’ sequel, Iron Flame, narrated by many of the same cast members. Fable reader Jadem: “I was afraid from all the hype that was on social media but it was as good as they say. Also I listened to the dramatized adaptation audiobook and it was definitely worth it!”The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones
Hannah-Jones expands on her New York Times Magazine’s award-winning 1619 Project issue, reframing America’s history, placing slavery at the center of the narrative.Starting on the shores of Virginia in 1619 with the arrival of a cargo ship bearing twenty to thirty people stolen from Africa to present day, The 1619 Project illuminates the lasting impacts of slavery on everything from our music, to our diet, to democracy itself.The poignant collection of essays, poems, and works of fiction is brought to life by a remarkable cast of poets, authors, and artists, featuring Claudia Rankine, Bryan Stevenson, and Ibram X. Kendi.Fable reader Zandra: “The emotion the narrators put into it really helped but everything into perspective, this was very eye opening and devastating, a very emotional read that deserves all the praise”My First Popsicle by Zosia Mamet
Mamet serves a savory platter of essays dedicated to food’s prominent role in our lives, cooked up by some of the most important voices in art and culture. My First Popsicle is a stirring combination of recipes and reflections, from the cultural responsibility of dumplings to Jell-O cake nostalgia.Narrated by a jaw-dropping cast featuring Ted Danson, Patti Smith, Kaley Cuoco, Tony Hale, and others, this audiobook is a must-order for food lovers.Fable reader Emily: “Hearing the stories from the authors themselves was incredibly powerful, adding immense heart and soul to the book. Even when stories weren’t read by their original authors, the narrators delivered spectacularly (looking at you, Busy Phillips).”His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Pullman’s bestselling modern fantasy takes readers on a frigid journey to the far North, where witches and armored bears rule, and parallel universes are in reach. Great for audiences of all ages, this epic adventure is filled with themes of creation, control, and free-will, following a child’s quest to save her friend.The Golden Compass audiobook is narrated by a cast of prominent actors for a rich experience. The series was also adapted to an HBO original show, starring Dafne Keen, Ruth Wilson, Andrew Scott, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele
From the creator of hit horror movies Get Out, Us, and Nope comes a spine-chilling anthology of Black horror, exploring the injustice that haunts our nation. Peele’s poignant tales bring a whole new meaning to scary.Narrated by Jordan Peele himself along with an all-star cast of acclaimed writers including N. K. Jemisin, Nnedi Okorafor, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Tananarive Due, Out There Screaming is a terrifyingly immersive experience. We’re not liable for any loss of sleep. Fable reader Salen: “I did appreciate that the audiobook used different narrators for each story, which helped give each one its own voice and kept the listening experience from feeling repetitive.”House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas
Packed with emotional depth, suspense, and steamy scenes, House of Earth and Blood is a must whether you’ve already dipped your toe into the SJM universe (ACOTAR) or you’re looking to dive head first into spicy romantasy. With a full cast of actors, music, and sound effects, prepare to be entranced.Book One of the spicy and sensational series follows main character Bryce, half-Fae, half-human on her epic quest to hunt down a demon who murdered her friends. Along the way, she meets Hunt, a handsome fallen angel with his own reasons for hunting down the same demon.World War Z by Max Brooks
If you’re less into romantasy reader and more of a zombie apocalypse aficionado, you may have already read World War Z. But what if Martin Scorsese could read it to you? The iconic cast, including the Academy Award-winning director, rapper Common, Spiderman star Alfred Molina, and The Walking Dead creator Frank Darabont, takes this flesh-eating saga to another level.Written and read as a documentary-style oral history, Brooks creatively shares the testimonies of the men, women, and children who’ve survived the apocalypse, in an uncut version of the book, featuring five more hours of previously unrecorded contentFable reader Tania: “The narration and variety of voices helped bring the different perspectives to life and kept me engaged throughout.”The Lord of the Rings Series by J. R. R. Tolkien
Hailed by many as the father of fantasy, Tolkien’s remarkably imaginative classics are worth the commitment. If you’re intimidated to crack open these tomes, BBC Radio’s full-cast narration is the perfect place to start, featuring stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe.Immerse yourself in the epic fantasy world that is Middle-earth and follow the adventures of dwarves, hobbits, men, and elves as they seek to destroy the Ring while fending off the evil forces of Sauron.Pick-Up by Nora Dahlia
If you’re hoping to relax this summer, close your eyes, and get lost in the ultimate beach read, Pick-Up is just the sunny rom-com you need in your ears. The light-hearted enemies-to-lovers romp follows two single parents at odds who end up trapped on the same exclusive private island.What’s a hopeless romantic gotta do around here to get trapped on a luxury island with a cute enemy?? Dahlia’s flirty, tension-building plot and fun cast of characters allows us to dream.Fable reader April: “I really enjoyed this book it was a really fun cute romcom and I actually really liked that they were parents and older I liked the problems and realities of being a parent. It was very funny and a great audiobook.”The Memory Palace by Nate DiMeo
DiMeo, creator of the award-winning podcast by the same name, shares incredible true stories of lost moments in history and forgotten figures. From a farmer’s wife who goes from butter-churner to international art star, to an enslaved man who steals a boat leading to his eventual freedom, these jaw-dropping stories are a testament to human determination, love, and wonder.These snack-sized stories of interest and intrigue are narrated by a gem of a cast, including Ryan Reynolds, Carrie Coon, and more.The Phoenix King By Aparna Verma
Sci-fi meets fantasy in this impressive feat of worldbuilding and smart storytelling. The Phoenix King follows a power-hungry desert princess and a mysterious assassin, each vying for the throne in the Ravani kingdom.What ensues is a tension-filled adventure of intrigue and betrayal in a land on the brink of war. The exhilarating audiobook is narrated by Soneela Nankani, Deepti Gupta, Vikas Adam, and Akshay Kumar.My Life by CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment)
CAPE’s intimate collection of work sheds light on the beautiful nuances of the Asian American experience, challenging preconceived notions of the single label. Tune in to the audiobook for a star-studded cast of contributors including Ramón de Ocampo, Deepti Gupta, SuChin Pak, and more.My Life: Growing Up Asian in America shares the vibrant lived experiences of 30 creators, from Reddit’s former CEO, Ellen K. Pao, to hip hop artist G Yamazawa. Through poetry, comics, and essays, this heartfelt and witty anthology celebrates the AAPI community, and is an urgent call for empathy and understanding.
Megan McKeough