What keeps me reading young adult books long after I left the target age group is that they usually have happier endings than (often bleak) adult books. And honestly… it’s pretty nice to shelve the dark and heavy books for a while and pick up something with a little more optimistic view of the world and the characters who inhabit it!
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So with that in mind, I’ve put together some of my favorite YA audiobooks that I think are well worth listening to whether you’re a longtime fan of young adult fiction or just looking for something fun and completely absorbing. There are mysteries, romances, and sci-fi adventures.
And since a great narrator can make an already good YA book even better, I’ve narrowed this list down to just the ones that really stand out to me as audiobooks.
So without further ado, here are my 10 favorite YA audiobooks WITH NO SPOILERS. And PS: Some of these titles may be exclusive to an Audible subscription, which I find definitely worth my while. If you’re interested in checking out Audible, you can use this link for a free 30-day trial.
Looking for something more genre-specific? Check out My Top 10 Best Dystopian Audiobooks or My Top 10 Best Fantasy Audiobooks. Or you can find all of my audiobook favorites here.
1. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
If you love a story packed with nostalgia, adventure, and escapism, Ready Player One is for you. The book follows Wade Watts, a teenager living in a not-so-distant future where most people spend their time in a massive virtual world called the OASIS. When the VR’s creator leaves behind a series of puzzles that could give the winner his enormous fortune, Wade becomes determined to solve them before anyone else can. It’s fast-paced, imaginative, and especially entertaining in audiobook form because Ready Player One is chock full of ’80s pop culture references and is narrated by none other than actor Wil Wheaton (Stand by Me), who is also a character in the book!
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games is probably one of the most popular dystopian novels ever written. And whether you already love the books and movies or you’re completely new to the series, I have great news for you… the audiobooks are excellent. Katniss’s trilogy is performed by the talented actress Tatiana Maslany (She-Hulk, Orphan Black), and the two newer prequels have their own narrators that perfectly fit their respective protagonists. It’s a great time to jump back into the series as author Suzanne Collins continues to write more prequels and release more film adaptations within The Hunger Games universe.
3. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
If you’re in the mood for fantasy, romance, and adventure, look no further than Shadow and Bone, the first book in author Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse universe. The story follows Alina Starkov, a young soldier who is pulled into a world of magic, powerful people, and dangerous secrets. The trilogy that this book kicks off has also been adapted into a Netflix TV show, which also weaves in some of the storylines in the Grishaverse’s later books. It has a unique magic system, a Russian-inspired setting, and it’s all around just an excellent example of YA fantasy.
4. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Speaking of the Grishaverse, let’s dive into its most beloved trilogy, Six of Crows. The story centers around six very different teenagers brought together for an incredibly dangerous heist, and each of them has their own skills, secrets, and reasons for being there. It’s a great choice if you want a YA fantasy that feels a little darker and more complex, with morally gray characters you’ll probably find yourself getting attached to. This audiobook is only available from Audible and features a full cast voicing the characters for an even more immersive listening experience.
5. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater has one of my favorite writing styles in all of young adult fiction. Her prose feels a little magical in itself, and her award-winning standalone The Scorpio Races is no exception. Every November, the people of the island of Thisby participate in the Scorpio Races, a dangerous competition involving terrifying water horses that emerge from the sea. There’s something beautifully atmospheric about this book… it’s a little eerie, a little romantic, and definitely one I’d recommend if you want a fantasy story that feels unusual and memorable. The audiobook benefits from dual narrators who bring the two protagonists’ voices to life.
6. The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
The House of the Scorpion was one of my favorite books ever growing up, and I never felt like it got the love it deserved. The story still holds strong today. I don’t want to give anything away because this book reveals its mysteries with perfect timing, but what I will say is that it’s a futuristic sci-fi dystopian adventure exploring identity, power, and morality. It’s so good, in fact, that it won the National Book Award in 2002, and the audiobook narrated by Raul Esparza is beautifully done.
7. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I don’t think you’re allowed to make a list of the best young adult fiction without including at least one book by John Green, and I agree… I love his writing. So let’s include his most famous novel, The Fault in Our Stars. If you like a contemporary romance with a side of a good cry, this is the book for you. Sharing any of the plot will be a spoiler, so it’s a book best enjoyed with no preconceptions. Enjoy! And keep some tissues handy.
8. Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
Firekeeper’s Daughter is a gripping YA mystery that follows Daunis Fontaine, an 18-year-old who has never quite felt like she belongs in either of the worlds she comes from… her hometown and the nearby Ojibwe reservation. And through an unfortunate series of events, she suddenly becomes involved in a murder investigation. This is a beautiful coming-of-age story that also dives into Ojibwe culture and tensions between native and non-native worlds in modern society, making it unlike any YA book I’ve read. Plus, it’s beautifully narrated by Sisseton Wahpeton Dakota actress Isabella Star LaBlanc (True Detective: Night Country).
9. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
I also included The Inheritance Games in My Top 10 Best Mystery Audiobooks because it’s just that good. The story follows Avery Grambs, a teenager who must compete for a massive inheritance by solving a series of clues and puzzles. And yes, I’ll leave it that vague because I really do want every twist and turn in the book to take you by surprise. I loved the combination of the mystery, the lavish setting, and the constant feeling that there’s another secret waiting around the corner. And if you love a great binge listen, the good news is that the full trilogy is complete, and there’s even a spin-off to keep your headphones busy.
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Let’s round out this list with a classic of the genre, The Book Thief. Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, the book follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl who finds comfort in books and begins stealing them whenever she gets the chance. What makes this audiobook so memorable is the unusual narrator who gives the story a perspective you don’t often get in historical fiction. This is definitely a more emotional listen than some of the other YA books on this list, but if you’re looking for a story that will stick with you forever, I highly recommend it.
I hope this list helped you find the next young adult audiobook to add to your listening queue! If you’re looking for more books with young adults or “new adults” as the publishing industry labels 18–25 year olds, check out My Top 10 Best Dark Academia Audiobooks for plenty more. Or you can find all of my favorite audiobooks right here.
