Terry Hong

Start Black History Month with these edifying, entertaining audiobooks by Black writers about Black experiences starring Black characters—and keep listening throughout the year. 

Audio adaptation of visually reliant, multilayered storytelling is not quite like transforming any other genre for the ears. These 19 audio titles adapted from graphic novels rise to the challenge.

These outstanding works by 12 authors encompass historical fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, picture books, and more. 

Titles in verse are an especially ­welcoming genre, blending poetry and storytelling to create immersive experiences for any type of narrative, including fiction, history, memoir, and more. The audiobook format presents these works the way poetry is meant to be enjoyed—out loud.

These recent audiobooks offer irrefutable proof and auspicious validation that our youth are our most promising changemakers today, tomorrow, and beyond.

From the 200-plus audiobooks with November 2021 to October 2022 publication dates considered, two picture books, a family history in verse, remade fairy tales, an intertwined podcast, and a haven’t-ever-heard-that-before double recording are among this year’s outstanding listens.

Multiracial Americans are the fastest-growing demographic in the United States, and publishing is thankfully reflecting more multiracial representation: here are 20 audiobooks, all published in 2022, culled from a list more than double the size. Listen in.

Rewrites and adaptations that subvert the familiar have long been popular—who can argue with universal appeal? These 22 titles have all been inspired by fairy tales and mythology.

These nonfiction audio adaptations of recent Young Readers Editions cover a range of ages, and most feature difficult subjects including history, climate change, and systemic racism.