CHICAGO- The Listen List Council of the Collection Development and Evaluation Section (CODES) of the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has released the 2026 selections of the Listen List: Outstanding Audiobook Narration. This year’s committee evaluated 340 titles with a total listening time of more than 3,496 hours. The final deliberation produced a list of twelve winners. This award highlights extraordinary narrators and listening experiences that merit special attention by a general adult audience and the librarians who advise them.
Adhering to established criteria, these benchmarks of excellence are available for purchase by libraries. Committee members matched the twelve titles on the list with three listen-alikes each which match in some way the tone, theme or style of the title on the list. None of these titles have appeared on any previous Listen Lists. Titles are named to the list because the narration creates a new experience with an outstanding performance in terms of voice, accents, pitch, tone, inflection, rhythm and pace, offering listeners something they could not create by their own visual reading. This juried list, designed for both avid listeners and those new to the pleasures of stories read aloud, includes fiction and nonfiction and features voices that enthrall, delight, and inspire.
The 2026 selections are:
Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs. Narrated by Ron Butler. Macmillan Audio.
As an intimate portrait of a literary icon, framed through the lens of love, this biography focuses on the four men who shaped Baldwin’s private world from New York to France and Istanbul and back, and infused his most powerful writing and art. Ron Butler’s powerful narration brings Baldwin’s voice to life.
Listen-Alikes:
The Outsider by Richard Wright. Narrated by JD Jackson. Caedmon Audio.
Positive Obsession: The Life and Times of Octavia E. Butler by Susana M. Morris. Narrated by Karen Murray. HarperAudio.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin. Narrated by Jesse L. Martin. Blackstone Audio.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. Narrated by Shane Ghostkeeper, Marin Ireland, and Owen Teale. Simon & Schuster Audio.
When a professor delves into her Lutheran pastor ancestor’s journal, she discovers a transcription of Good Stab, a member of the Blackfeet tribe and unwilling vampire, and his methodical quest for revenge for the systematic slaughter of his people. The stellar narration and audio production along with the blend of western, horror, and mystery elements combine for a refreshingly original take on the vampire story.
Listen-Alikes:
Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina. Narrated by Elva Guerra and Nick Medina. Books on Tape.
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due. Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt. Simon & Schuster Audio.
The Bone Picker: Native Stories, Alternate Histories by Devon A. Mihesuah. Narrated by Charley Flyte. Tantor Media.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Narrated by Maggi-Meg Reed, Jane Oppenheimer, Carly Robins, Jeff Ebner, David Pittu, Chris Andrew Ciulla, Mark Bramhall, Petrea Burchard, Robert Petkoff, Kimberly Farr, Cerris Morgan-Moyer, Peter Ganim, Jade Wheeler, Jim Seybert and Steve West. Books on Tape.
Sybil Van Antwerp has spent most of her 70-plus years of life writing letters to interact with the world and understand herself. The messages that define Sybil’s existence tell a touching story about grief, friendship, regret, and deep connection – to our personal histories, place, and each other. This epistolary novel is narrated by a full cast that brings each character to life.
Listen-Alikes:
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer. Narrated by Jennifer Pickens. Macmillan Audio.
84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. Narrated by Barbara Rosenblat and John Franklyn-Robbins. Recorded Books.
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons. Narrated by Nicolette McKenzie. HarperAudio.
Dirtbag Queen by Andy Corren. Narrated by Andy Corren. Grand Central Publishing.
A humorous and heartfelt portrait of an unconventional mother and her eccentric children, this story embraces chaos and compassion alike, honoring the imperfect, unbreakable ties that hold a family together. Andy Corren narrates this hilarious obituary-turned-memoir with campy Southern flair.
Listen-Alikes:
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. Narrated by David Sedaris. Little, Brown & Company.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy. Narrated by Jennette McCurdy. Simon & Schuster Audio.
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady. Narrated by Fern Brady. Books on Tape.
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow. Narrated by Moira Quirk and Sid Sagar. Macmillan Audio.
Disenchanted historian Owen Mallory is thrown back into the age of legend to record the life of Sir Una Everlasting, the knight who shaped his life from afar, only to fall for the woman behind the myth. He discovers she is bound to a cruel, unending cycle of time that he may not be able to break. Moira Quirk’s and Sid Sagar’s skillful narrations breathe life into the star-crossed lovers.
Listen-Alikes:
The Isle in the Silver Sea by Tasha Suri. Narrated by Shiromi Arserio. Orbit.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Narrated by George Weightman and Katie Leung. Simon & Schuster Audio.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Narrated by Dominic Hoffman, Dion Graham, Bahni Turpin, Fiona Hardingham, Allan Corduner, and Jorjeana Marie. Books on Tape.
Life Hacks for a Little Alien by Alice Franklin. Narrated by Sally Phillips. Little, Brown & Company.
Narrated by a quirky guide in second person, listeners follow a neurodivergent girl on her journey to find a sense of belonging by decoding an ancient, undeciphered codex. With the help of her friend Bobby and several librarians, she finds a path for herself in this coming-of-age story about not fitting in on this planet. Sally Phillip’s crisp narration gives this unique, whimsical story heart and humor.
Listen-Alikes:
Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. Narrated by Ruth Ozeki. Books on Tape.
How to Build a Boat, by Elaine Feeney. Narrated by Gary Furlong. Tantor Media.
A Room Called Earth by Madeleine Ryan. Narrated by Madeleine Ryan. Books on Tape.
Mailman by Stephen Starring Grant. Narrated by Stephen Starring Grant. Simon & Schuster Audio.
Stephen Starring Grant lost his corporate job as the pandemic started, but with a recent cancer diagnosis he needed insurance. Becoming a mail carrier in his Appalachian hometown was not his initial plan, but it provided stability in a tumultuous time. A love letter to our sense of community and the all-American institution of the USPS, Mailman is a hopeful look at our country narrated with fondness and care.
Listen-Alikes:
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel by Kim Michele Richardson. Narrated by Katie Schorr. Sourcebooks.
Neither Snow nor Rain: A History of the United States Postal Service by Devin Leonard. Narrated by L. J. Ganser. Recorded Books.
Who Is Government: The Untold Story of Public Service by Michael Lewis. Narrated by Michael Lewis, Sarah Vowell, John Lanchester, Geraldine Brooks, Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, and W. Kamau Bell. Books on Tape.
The Names by Florence Knapp. Narrated by Dervla Kirwan. Books on Tape.
How Cora Atkin chooses to name her newborn son will drastically change the course of her entire family’s lives. This incredible debut follows Cora’s family through three highly divergent timelines, exploring the impacts of domestic abuse and familial relationships. Dervla Kirwan’s narration is emotionally resonant and compelling.
Listen-Alikes:
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch. Narrated by Jon Lindstrom. Books on Tape.
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. Narrated by Fenella Woolgar. Hachette Audio.
Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell. Narrated by Louisa Harland. Algonquin Books.
Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone. Narrated by Alex Finke. Books on Tape.
Lenny’s life is a mess after her best friend passes away from cancer. Miles, an unlikely friend, is ready to help Lenny with her “live again” list. Promise Me Sunshine is a beautiful story about love and the process of grief with earnest narration by Alex Finke. This slow-burn romance is not to be missed.
Listen-Alikes:
Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. Narrated by Christine Lakin and Matt Lanter. Forever.
PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly. Narrated by Karissa Vacker. Books on Tape.
Someone Else’s Bucket List by Amy T. Matthews. Narrated by Brenda Scott Wlazlo. Highbridge.
The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. Narrated by Mark Bramhall. Books on Tape.
In this chaotic, big-hearted, and darkly funny road trip story, a lonely, alcoholic PJ Halliday decides to drive across the country to win back his high school sweetheart. Tagging along are his drifting adult daughter, two newly orphaned kids, and a cat named Pancakes who can predict imminent death. Mark Bramhall’s warm and empathetic narration of a broken family learning to glue themselves back together makes this a heartwarming listen.
Listen-Alikes:
The Silver Squad: Rebels with Wrinkles by Marty Essen. Narrated by Maria McCann. Encante Press.
So Far Gone by Jess Walter. Narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. HarperAudio.
The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston. Narrated by Tim Carroll. HarperAudio.
The Strange Case of Jane O by Karen Thompson Walker. Narrated by Jay Myers and Alex Sarrigeorgiou. Books on Tape.
Jane walks into a psychiatrist’s office and explains that she has a photographic memory, but can’t remember anything from the past day. As the bizarre case unwinds, it draws her doctor into a psychological spiral that leads him to question his own reality. Jay Myers and Alex Sarrigeorgiou give earnest, nuanced performances that fully engage the listener from the start.
Listen-Alikes:
Tilt by Emma Pattee. Narrated by Ariel Blake. Simon & Schuster Audio.
Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent. Narrated by Jessica Regan, Stephen Hogan, Sara Lynam, and Liz Nugent. Simon & Schuster Audio.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Narrated by Jack Hawkins and Louise Brealey. Macmillan Audio.
The Sideways Life of Denny Voss by Holly Kennedy. Narrated by Andrew Eiden and Holly Kennedy. Brilliance Audio.
Denny Voss was born in Duluth, his number (IQ) is 72, and he insists that he is not disabled. Arrested at the bottom of Penguin Hill with his toboggan full of wrapped-up guns, Denny recounts the series of shenanigans that led to his current predicament and how he’ll prove he’s not guilty of murder. Andrew Eiden’s narration endears readers to Denny’s idiosyncrasies and adds humor to his predicament.
Listen-Alikes:
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne. Narrated by Annie Maynard. Macmillan Audio.
Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn. Narrated by Greg Chun. HarperAudio.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon. Narrated by Jeff Woodman. Recorded Books.
The Listen List: Outstanding Audiobook Narration Council includes: Julie Murphy, Illinois State University, chair; Emily Alexander; Allyssa Bruce, University of Michigan; Justine Farfara, Malvern Public Library; Jessica Lundin, Durham County Public Library; Katharine J. Phenix, Denver Public Library; Christina Vortia, Howard University.
The Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, represents librarians and library staff in the fields of reference, specialized reference, collection development, readers’ advisory and resource sharing. RUSA is the foremost organization of reference and information professionals who make the connections between people and the information sources, services, and collection materials they need. Learn more about the association at www.rusaupdate.org.