Best Audiobooks to Listen to While Walking, Commuting, or Cooking

Audiobooks shine when your hands are busy but your brain still craves story, knowledge, or company. The past few years have seen an enormous surge in listening.

U.S. publishers report record-breaking audio revenue, and public libraries keep setting new borrowing highs across ebooks and audiobooks.

More choice means stronger narrators, richer sound design, and productions that slot perfectly into the background of daily routines.

It doesn’t matter if you’re pounding the pavement, wedged into a train seat, or stirring something on the stove; the right audiobook can make those hours flow.

This guide pulls together award-winners, critic picks, and audience favorites. Every recommendation comes with a clear reason it fits walking, commuting, or cooking, plus a few practical tips on safe listening, free library access, and how to keep your queue fresh.

Quick Picks by Situation

Here’s a snapshot before diving into details.

Best Audiobooks for Walking

You want something that keeps pace, holds attention, but doesn’t demand frantic note-taking.

James by Percival Everett – Narrated by Dominic Hoffman

Everett’s reimagining of Huckleberry Finn told from Jim’s perspective is both sharp and deeply humane. Dominic Hoffman’s narration balances gravity with humor.

Long walks benefit from that kind of emotional clarity. The novel has won major prizes and keeps showing up on curated lists into 2025.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – Narrated by R. C. Bray

Still a global audio favorite, Project Hail Mary is propelled by Weir’s trademark science puzzles and R. C. Bray’s lively voice.

Perfect for walking because the plot is pure momentum – easy to dip out of and fall back into when crossing a street.

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman – Narrated by Ruth Wilson

Winner of the Audie for UK-Produced Audiobook, this production is lush without being overwhelming. Ruth Wilson captures the sense of wonder while holding a steady rhythm, ideal for outdoor loops.

There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib – Narrated by the Author

Poet and essayist Hanif Abdurraqib delivers a meditation on basketball, time, and home in his own voice. It feels conversational, like company for a long walk, and landed on multiple “best of audio” lists in 2024.

Best Audiobooks for Commuting

Commuting favors tight structure and engaging voices that can cut through noise.

1984 – Audio Drama with Andrew Garfield and Cynthia Erivo

This full-cast production brings Orwell’s novel to life like a prestige TV series for the ears. Short, scene-driven chapters make it easy to pause when your stop arrives.

Winner of the Audie Award for Audio Drama.

Lone Wolf by Gregg Hurwitz – Narrated by Scott Brick

Hurwitz writes big, cinematic thrillers, and Brick’s narration gives them even sharper edges. The pacing is excellent for commuters: chapters end naturally on moments that keep you engaged, even when the bus ride ends early.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Osman’s reputation from The Thursday Murder Club series carries into this witty mystery. It’s suspenseful but also funny, perfect for easing stress during traffic.

Atomic Habits by James Clear – Narrated by the Author

Still charting high in 2025, Atomic Habits is structured in short, practical chapters that you can digest in between train stops or red lights.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt – Narrated by the Author

A nonfiction bestseller with clean argumentation and the author’s steady narration. It’s topical and thought-provoking without being too dense for a commute.

Best Audiobooks for Cooking

The best options are memoirs, essays, and stories you can dip in and out of.

My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand – Narrated by the Author

Winner of the Audie for Audiobook of the Year, Streisand’s memoir feels like you’ve invited her into your kitchen. Intimate, conversational, and easy to follow, even when timers go off.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett – Narrated by Meryl Streep

Family, memory, and gentle storytelling delivered with warmth by Meryl Streep. A standout on 2025 listening lists and ideal for quiet prep sessions.

You Like It Darker: Stories by Stephen King – Narrated by Will Patton and Stephen King

Audie winner for Short Stories/Collections. With short, chilling stories, you can stir a sauce, hit pause, and not lose track.

Glory Days by Simon Rich – Narrated by John Mulaney

Comic short stories delivered with sharp timing by Mulaney. A great fit for short bursts between chopping and tasting.

The Women by Kristin Hannah – Narrated by Julia Whelan

Historical fiction has dominated bestseller lists. Kristin Hannah’s sweeping stories of resilience and loss have set a high bar for the genre. Julia Whelan’s clarity ensures you catch every line, even if the blender is running.

Bonus: Full-Cast Productions That Feel Like Prestige TV

• Playground by Richard Powers – A layered, sound-rich audiobook, finalist for Audiobook of the Year.
• The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie – Peter Dinklage voices Poirot in a Guardian 2025 summer pick.

Short, Snackable Listens

When time is short, collections and essays work well.

• What If We Get It Right? by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson – Climate essays by the author.
• Letters from Klara by Tove Jansson – Indira Varma’s narration is crisp and soothing.

What People Are Listening to Right Now

AP News charts show nonfiction like Atomic Habits and The Anxious Generation topping lists in 2025. Fiction favorites include Project Hail Mary and buzzy new thrillers.

Keeping an eye on these weekly charts can help you spot books everyone is talking about.

Free and Easy Access Through Libraries

If you have a library card, you likely have instant access to thousands of audiobooks on Libby (powered by OverDrive).

In 2024, digital checkouts hit 739 million, with more than 180 systems passing one million downloads each. Libby’s perks – offline downloads, variable speed, and sleep timers – make it perfect for everyday listening.

Starter Tips

Platforms and Perks Worth Knowing

• Spotify Premium now includes 15 audiobook hours per month in many regions.
• Audible offers annual Editor Picks and Audie Award highlights, a shortcut to high-quality listening.

Listening Speed, Length, and Attention

Most audiobooks are recorded at around 150-160 words per minute. Many listeners comfortably bump playback to 1.2x or 1.3x without losing clarity.

Full-length novels typically run 8-12 hours, while big fantasy epics stretch much longer.

Hearing-Safe Habits

More Excellent Choices by Mood

• Propulsive fiction: The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown, First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston.
• Feel-good romance: Funny Story by Emily Henry, Great Big Beautiful Life also by Henry.
• Memoir and performance nonfiction: Candy Darling by Cynthia Carr (narrated by Justin Vivian Bond), Knife by Salman Rushdie.
• Family-friendly: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman and Guardian-curated summer classics.

Wrapping It Up

@emmahalbrook Top 5 books on audio! 🎧✨📚 #audiobook #audible #booktokfyp #zodiacacademy #ravenhoodseries #powerless #tilldeath #butcherandblackbird #romantasy #romance #fantasy #darkromance #bookrecs #audiobookrecs #kindleunlimited ♬ original sound – Emma Halbrook

Daily routines feel richer when soundtracks are chosen with care. For walking, steady and immersive listens like James or Project Hail Mary keep your pace.

For commuting, structured dramas and thrillers like 1984 audio drama or Lone Wolf hold attention in short bursts.

For cooking, memoirs, and short stories like My Name Is Barbra or You Like It Darker slot perfectly into the rhythm of a kitchen.

Between library access, streaming perks, and award-winner lists, it has never been easier to find the right voice for your day.

Load up a few extras so you never hit a gap, and let your errands, rides, and recipes feel less like chores and more like chapters in your own story.