One of the few things better than reading a good book is having one read to you. And even better than that is having a celebrity do it. A-list actors have really embraced the audiobook trend over the past few years, letting their distinctive voices bring well-loved stories to life. Here are 26 A-list reads available on Audible perfect for a road trip, commute, or a Sunday morning when you just want to get some QT with your favorite celebs.
Fiction And Memoir Audiobooks Read By Celebrities
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Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo, Andrew Scott, Tom Hardy, Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther, Katie Leung + 1984 by George Orwell
Step into the world of 1984 where individualism is considered a crime as much as it's frowned upon. Here you'll meet Winston Smith (Andrew Garfield) as he tries to maintain his duties at the Ministry of Truth. He'll lead you down a path that involves a struggle to adhere to Big Brother's (Tom Hardy) demands for uniformity and his desire to break free from the rules set in his place.
The lines become blurred as he crosses paths with Julia (Cynthia Erivo) and O'Brien (Andrew Scott), and it'll lead him down a winding path with an ending that may be more heartbreaking than the beginning.
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Claire Danes + The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Despite being written 30 years ago, Margaret Atwood’s dark tale of a dystopian future, where women are essentially property of the state, became eerily relevant when it was adapted into a TV show last year. With two Golden Globe wins and a second season premiering in April, the series has made its mark, and its message is not slowing down anytime soon. Re-immerse yourself in the story via the audio version, narrated by Emmy-winner Claire Danes.
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Maggie Gyllenhaal + Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy’s epic and tragic love story about an unhappily married countess is a must-read. But if you weren’t able to get through its thousand pages in high school, or just want to revisit the classic, listen to Maggie Gyllenhaal delve into what she says is one of her favorite books.
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Nicole Kidman + To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
Nicole Kidman is no stranger to Virginia Woolf, having won an Oscar for her portrayal of the troubled writer in the film The Hours. In To the Lighthouse, Kidman once again embodies the words of Woolf, reading the story of the Ramsey family and their visits to their summer home between 1910 and 1920.
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Benedict Cumberbatch + Benedict Cumberbatch Reads Sherlock Holmes’ Rediscovered Railway Mysteries by John Taylor
We’d listen to Benedict Cumberbatch’s soothing voice read pretty much anything. The actor, who played Sherlock Holmes in the BBC TV adaption, brings the baritone to four new mysteries featuring the eccentric private detective.
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Oprah Winfrey + What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
When Oprah speaks, people listen. What I Know for Sure is a collection of life lessons Winfrey penned as a column in her magazine over the course of 14 years. Hearing her recite them will fill you with awe, inspiration, and joy all over again.
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Betty White + If You Ask Me by Betty White
National Treasure Betty White just turned 96 years young, and you can legitimately say sliced bread (invented 1928) is the best thing since Betty White (born 1922). There is no better way to hear about seven decades of love, life, and television than directly from the Hollywood legend herself. (Photo via Amanda Edwards/Getty)
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Tiffany Haddish + The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
Tiffany Haddish had a breakout year in 2017, which included an outrageous role in Girls’ Trip and a historic turn as the first female comic of color to host SNL. Let Haddish entertain you with her autobiography, which chronicles both heartbreaking struggles and inspiring triumphs. (Photo via Nicholas Hunt/Getty)
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Mindy Kaling + Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
Mindy Kaling’s second book is another collection of relatable and often hilariously insightful essays. Listening to Kaling read them out loud is like hanging out with your wacky BFF. (Photo via Jonathan Leibson/Getty)
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Rosamund Pike + Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Rosamund Pike, who played Jane Bennett in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, jumps back into Jane Austen’s classic by narrating not just Jane, but the entire Bennett family, as well as the other supporting characters.
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Tina Fey + Bossypants by Tina Fey
Tina Fey’s book is a showcase of everything you love about the actress and self-proclaimed nerd: intelligence, wit, and weirdness. Fey’s narration is the icing on the cake.
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Amy Poehler + Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Like her pal Tina Fey, Amy Poehler has written a memoir full of charm and laughs. The audio version features the effervescent Poehler along with a whole crew of her celeb friends, including Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, and Patrick Stewart.
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Michelle Williams + The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
The Woman in Mewas one of 2023's groundbreaking memoirs and Michelle Williams doesn't disappoint while reading it. You'll get a kick out of hearing her repeat the way Justin Timberlake mimicked urban vernacular when he saw another R&B artist.
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Barbra Streisand + My Name is Barbraby Barbra Streisand
EGOT winner Barbra Streisand knows what it takes to create a legend because she is one in the entertainment industry. But, she was a child in Brooklyn who grew up to frequent the night scene in New York before becoming who we know her to be today. Listen to her share all the highs and lows of her journey in My Name is Barbra.
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Paris Hilton + Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton
Celebrity memoirs aren't hard to come by, but there's something about hearing Paris Hilton detail her upbringing and things that led her to create her famous persona that we can't get enough of.
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Jada Pinkett Smith + Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith
Children's And Young Adult Audiobooks Read By Celebrities
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Eddie Redmayne + Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themby J.K. Rowling
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was required reading at Hogwarts, and should also be required reading (or listening) for every Harry Potter fan. Eddie Redmayne, who played Newt Scamander in the film version, reads the textbook featuring descriptions of the magical creatures of the wizarding world.
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Kate Winslet + Matilda by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a master at crafting creative stories of unexpected kid heroes, and Matilda is no exception. Oscar winner Kate Winslet enthusiastically animates Matilda’s entertaining adventures, including her pranks on Miss Trunchbull. (Photo via Daniel Zuchnik/Getty)
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Hope Davis + A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'engle
If you haven’t seen any of the star-studded (Oprah! Reese! Mindy!) posters or trailer for the highly anticipated upcoming A Wrinkle in Timemovie, we don’t know where you’ve been hiding. While you wait for the release, get a proper education in the time-traveling fantasy via actress Hope Davis’s excellently narrated version.
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Samuel L. Jackson + Go the F–k to Sleepby Adam Mansbach
Who better to narrate this profanity-laden mock bedtime story than Samuel L. Jackson? This audiobook is not appropriate for minors, but any adult with a sense of humor will love hearing Jackson as a parent desperately trying to get his child to sleep.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda + The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz
Hamilton‘s Lin-Manuel Miranda brings his Tony award-winning vocal talents to the sweet story of Oscar, a nerdy overweight Dominican boy who dreams of finding love.
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Reese Witherspoon + Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
The discovery and release of Harper Lee’s second novel, Go Set a Watchman, thought to be a first draft of her famous To Kill a Mockingbird, was highly controversial (and, thus, highly successful). But for any fans of Lee that are looking for a thought-provoking take on Atticus and Scout, Reese Witherspoon’s audio version is worth a listen. (Photo via Kevin Winter/Getty)
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Wil Wheaton + Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One is social commentary wrapped up in a fun, sci-fi quest with plenty of throwback references to the ’80s. Before you catch Steven Spielberg’s movie adaption this March, do yourself a favor and dive into the audio version narrated by everyone’s favorite geek, Wil Wheaton (who is even briefly mentioned in one of the chapters).
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Rachel McAdams + Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
The beloved tale of a plucky and spirited orphan sent to live on a farm has inspired numerous films, TV series, and musicals. Actress Rachel McAdams’s upbeat narration will help you relive your favorite childhood book.
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Anne Hathaway + The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
We’ve all grown up with the journey of Dorothy and her little dog too, but versatile actress Anne Hathaway truly brings the iconic journey to life, lending her voice as the narrator and all the characters in Oz.
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Nick Offerman + The Adventures of Tom Sawyerby Mark Twain
Actor and real-life woodworker Nick Offerman is the perfect choice to read this all-American story about a mischievous boy and his adventures growing up along the Mississippi River.
What audiobooks are on your list? Share them with us @BritandCo.
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This post has been updated.
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Lesley Chen is a California native who writes about travel, health/fitness, and other lifestyle topics. She has a serious case of RBF and exercises mainly to balance out an aggressive candy addiction.