Best of the Best ⟩ Best by Author
BEST OF THE BEST
Best by Author
The Best LGBTQIA+ Listens by Queer Authors
We scoured the big and beautiful LGBTQIA+ canon to present some of our favorite queer-focused listens of all time. Truly great literature can foster a sense of belonging and the feeling of truly being seen. However, listeners on the hunt for the best LGBTQIA+ books out there know that finding stories about gay characters isn’t always easy. So, we’ve put together a series of lists detailing some of the best LGBTQIA+ listens available.
The Best Bisexual Listens by Queer Authors
Listeners on the hunt for stories that center the bisexual experience know what a challenge it can be. Here, we’ve tried to lighten the lift with a list of the best bisexual listens across genres and age categories. And because we know that authenticity is important to listeners, all of the selections on this list were written by queer and bisexual authors. We hope to see more wonderful and nuanced stories depicting bisexual characters going forward.
The Most Stellar Sci-Fi Authors of All Time
Science fiction is a genre as diverse as you can imagine. There are stories that take place in deep space, often depicting teams exploring or running away from something; stories that focus on life at the most cellular level, such as a pandemic tale; and stories that take place in times that feel similar to our own. Depicting themes of existentialism, philosophy, hubris, and personal and historical trauma, sci-fi has a cadre of topics and moods.
Fall in Love with the Very Best Nicholas Sparks Books
Nicholas Sparks is a prolific writer who has written more than 20 best-selling books. While all of his stories offer heartfelt and engaging narratives, with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start. Based on popularity, accolades, and listener reviews, we’ve cultivated the following list of listens that represent the very best of Nicholas Sparks. Start with this delicious dozen, and then check out the rest of his unforgettable works.
Whodunit Whizzes: A Shortlist of the Best Mystery Authors
Who doesn't love a good mystery? Listening to mystery audiobooks is a great way to feel some semblance of order in an often chaotic world. The clues are there for you to solve along, and by the end, it will all come together in an incredibly satisfying manner. There’s a formula to the genre, sure, but the best mysteries still surprise you and often subvert expectations. These authors excel at offering up a little something extra.
10 of the Best Hispanic Authors to Listen to Right Now
This list is in no way exhaustive, but it is a great place to discover—or rediscover—exceptional Hispanic writers, many with extensive back catalogs. It’s gratifying to hear these works in the language in which they were written, with gorgeous renditions en español. And while you’ll have plenty of their work to listen to, we also suggest you learn about the lives of each author. Their stories include struggles as immigrants, expatriates, and refugees.
15 Essential Jewish Authors to Hear in Audio
The Jewish diaspora is vast, diverse, and full of stories. In recent years, Jewish authors have published books about everything from love, identity, and history to crime, romance, and what it means to come of age in the modern world. While this list is by no means complete, these 15 Jewish authors have written some of the most fascinating Jewish literature, and they represent a deep catalog of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry in a range of genres.
10 Great Contemporary Fiction Authors
If you like well-written novels that prioritize compelling timely storylines with artful prose and structure, then this is the genre for you. So, why is it called "contemporary"? Because it’s fiction set in the real world, in times contemporary to the date it was published, and the stories deal with real-world issues. Representing a diversity of backgrounds, here are our picks for the best writers of contemporary fiction over the last 50 years.
The Greatest, Most Notable American Writers of All Time
To curate a list of famous American writers who are also considered among the best American authors, a few things count: current ratings for their works, their particular time periods in history, critical reception, their prevalence in the 21st century, and yes, the awards they won. Many of these authors are taught in school today, and hopefully, several more of them will be taught in school in the near future.
Authors Like Stephen King
Best-selling author Stephen King has published a staggering amount of work, from gripping crime thrillers to epic fantasy series, winning prestigious awards. Yet King’s varied writing is united by common themes, styles, characters, and settings. Undeniably, King’s influence is evident in many of the horror genre’s leading and emerging authors. If you're a fan of Stephen King, these horror authors should be on your radar.
The Best Listens by East Asian Authors
The geographical region that comprises Asia is vast and varied—and so are the stories that have emerged from it. And as the continent consists of more than 50 countries, it is nearly impossible to narrow down a list of the best Asian literature. So, for this collection, we’ve highlighted the wonderful works crafted by authors who are from the East Asian region or are of East Asian descent. We’ve chosen some of the greatest by genre to get you started.
The Best Indian Authors to Listen to Right Now
"India," to quote actress and human rights activist Shabana Azmi, "is a country that lives in several centuries simultaneously." Each of these writers and their works have contributed to help the world better understand this expansive country and its beautiful, multifaceted culture, whether it be from within India’s own borders or through the memory of its customs and traditions from distant continents.
Outstanding Women Authors Everyone Ought to Listen to Right Now
Over the course of history, women have made monumental contributions to literature. Legendary favorites and contemporary women authors alike have left their mark on both the publishing world and audio canon. This list features women authors who deserve a spot in your library. Learn more about each amazing woman—her life, her work, and her legacy.
Outstanding Black Authors Across Various Genres and Styles
Stories have the power not only to transport us, but to allow us to connect, understand, and feel represented. The work of phenomenal Black authors—like those featured in this list—has expanded the ambition, scope, and perspective of storytelling. These must-hear titles from some of the best Black authors of all time are also indisputably some of the most remarkable works of literature in both the contemporary and historical canon.
The Best Neil Gaiman Listens of All Time
"I make things up and write them down"—that’s how Neil Gaiman has humbly described his work. And he must be pretty good at it too, because many,
many people count themselves as fans. He’s written novels, short fiction, nonfiction, comic books, books for children, graphic novels, films, and audio dramas in genres from mythic fantasy to horror. With so many Neil Gaiman works to get through, here's what you won’t want to miss in audio.
Looking for a Fright? Here Are the Best Contemporary Horror Authors to Listen to Right Now
When it comes to horror, there’s no shortage of unique tales. Horror authors have a talent for mining our deepest fears and insecurities, then using them to tell fascinating, engaging, and horrifying stories. While there are so many classic horror authors to explore, this list focuses on a selection of contemporary writers whose works are as enthralling as they are terrifying.
Must-Hear Contemporary Black Women Authors
It’s a fact that a high percentage of the best books that have come out in this century have been written by Black women authors. (Truth be told, there are so many excellent works that this list could simply centered on the best contemporary authors and still be accurate.) Nevertheless, Black women’s stories deserve to be heard, and when the stories are this compelling, this engaging, and this beautifully written, they’re impossible to ignore.
The Best Brandon Sanderson Audiobooks
Brandon Sanderson is one of the best-known and most popular fantasy authors working today. If you're entering his wonderfully magical worlds for the first time, it can be daunting. Never fear! This guide will walk you through the best Brandon Sanderson audiobooks, from his most well-known series to his lesser-known (but equally excellent) standalone novels. So buckle up and get ready for days (yes, literally, days!) of amazing listening.
Best Authors for Fans of Margaret Atwood
Iconic Canadian author Margaret Atwood is more than a beloved novelist, poet, and essayist. She’s also a feminist, environmental activist, and innovator. Atwood examines important themes across many genres, including nonfiction, poetry, dystopian fiction, science fiction, and retellings of mythology. If you've worked your way through all of her stellar audiobooks and don’t know where to go next, here are some listens by authors similar to Atwood.
These Authors of Color Are Revolutionizing Horror—Listen If You Dare!
Fortunately, authors of color have revolutionized horror, enriching it with their voices and gifts of great storytelling while using the conventions of the genre to unpack the traumas of racism, sexism, classism, and more. Whether you’re listening at home or on the go, make sure the area is brightly lit...and that there’s nothing lurking in the shadows.
