I Listened To More Than 15 Non-Fictions Via Audiobooks Over The Last Couple of Years
And here are my top 5
Being a big advocate of consuming stories via audiobooks, I have listened to a wide range of audiobooks. These audiobooks belong to different genres - contemporary romance, mystery thrillers, and romantic fantasy.
Another category of books that I was comfortable following via audiobooks was non-fiction. Over the years I have listened to multiple non-fiction stories that discuss a myriad of topics.
As you can imagine, some were easy to follow and some were not. This article discusses the top 5 non-fiction stories that I devoured with the help of audiobooks. Not only did I enjoy the content of these stories, but they also came with amazing narrators, leading to an impeccable reading experience.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into my top 5 picks.
Also, I should add that the books are discussed in no particular order. All these books belong to different categories and examine a wide range of topics. Comparing them to one another will be a crime I am not ready to commit.
A Light In The Dark: Surviving More Than Ted Bundy by Kathy Kleiner Rubin and Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi
This is a one-of-its-kind story following the life of Kathy Kleiner Rubin - A Ted Bundy Survivor. However, the book discusses more than her encounter with Ted Bundy and the subsequent struggles.
The story focuses on many good and bad aspects of her life. It discusses how perception can become everything and how one can find strength in the gloomiest of times. The story is one of strength—mental and physical—and hope.
I listened to this on audio last summer and still think about it all the time. Roxana Ortega narrated the audiobook, and she was perfect for this story. Her voice had the necessary warmth and compassion that suited the book’s subject.
If you want to start a non-fiction, you should give this a try. Apart from the satisfactory audiobook experience, there is so much you can learn from Kathy’s strength and tenacity.
A Taste for Poison - Eleven Deadly Substances & The Killers Who Used Them by Neil Bradbury
If you are a fan of true crime podcasts, this is an audiobook for you.
The book talks about eleven chemicals that could be poisonous, how they were used as murder weapons, and how those murders were solved. Every chapter tackles one chemical and one murder mystery surrounding it.
Derek Perkins has lent his voice to the audiobook. And if you decide to consume this via audio, it feels like listening to a podcast. Every chapter is akin to an episode making it quite easy to listen to a chapter, stop, and return for the next one.
If you enjoy a blend of science, history, and crime, pick this one up - both for the narration and for the fun facts discussed in the book.
The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America by Anita Hannig
This is another one-of-its-kind story that investigates assisted dying in America. The book tells the stories of multiple people who face either a terminal diagnosis or unbearable suffering, and wish to opt for medical assistance in dying. More than the procedure of assisted dying, the book talks about restoring the dignity of people in the face of death.
This book made me think long and hard about how we perceive death and how our reservations surrounding it can hinder someone’s self-esteem.
Narrated by Linda Jones, the audiobook has flawless quality and narration. Again, the soothing voice of the narration was perfect for the topics covered in the book.
I recommend the story to everyone along with a caution to check the trigger warnings before you dive into it.
Dear Ijeawele - A Feminist Manifesto In Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This essay is the author’s response to a letter from her friend asking for advice on how to raise her baby girl.
With a fantastic narration, this book discusses how women should talk to their daughters to ensure they grow up strong and confident. As a woman, reading (or rather listening) how mere words can build your confidence and empower you was tremendously satisfying.
January Lavoy took up the mantle of narrating this story. And you can bet that the audiobook will not disappoint. Her voice is calm and her delivery is certain, which makes for a second-to-none listening experience.
The audiobook is merely 61 minutes long and I gobbled up the whole thing in one sitting. It is something that everyone should read or listen to. It gives perspective on how women should talk to one another in an uplifting and motivating manner.
Notes on Grief by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Another non-fiction written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie makes it to the list. What makes it more special is that the author has narrated it, which is quite fitting.
This is an 86-page memoir, with a 90-minute audiobook, written in the memory of the author’s father. The pages are filled with the author’s grief at her father’s demise. One can tell that writing this was hard for the author. And yet the pages are filled with love, adoration, and respect for her father.
Listening to the audiobook, you can feel the pain and despair of the author. You can sense that amid all the grief, she fondly remembers her father, and secretly chides herself for not writing about her father sooner.
I listened to the entire thing in one sitting, and it made me think hard about my relationship with my parents. I realized how often we take the people around us for granted. Calling it beautiful feels wrong because of the subject, but calling it anything else also feels misplaced.
I strongly urge you to pick this book up if you wish to relive a daughter’s affection and admiration for her father.
So, here we are with the 5 best non-fiction stories I consumed via audio.
I am always on the lookout for non-fiction stories with good audiobooks. If you have any suggestions, please drop them in the comments.
Also, let me know if you have read any of the books mentioned in this article.