250 Audiobooks That I Listened to in 2022.

You may have deduced from the title of this blog post that I like to listen to audiobooks.

When I tell people that I listen to multiple books a week I am usually asked how I can do that considering I have four kids, keep up with this blog, teach a class on Sunday, and more.

The answer is, I multitask.

Only one or two books in the list below were read in a paper book or digitally—the rest were all listened to.

I listen while I do a lot of daily tasks. Also, I don’t watch much TV.

I’ve also been asked some of the following questions…

How have you listened to so many audiobooks this year?

I listen to audiobooks at 1.7x speed (for dramatized versions) and at 2x’s speed for regular audiobooks.

Listening quickly obviously helps me get through the content faster and read more. It also helps me set a quicker pace as I’m doing my daily chores.

However, I didn’t start out at 2x’s speed. In fact, I hated listening at 2x’s speed in 2021, the fastest I felt comfortable with was 1.4x in 2021; as I’ve listened more, my ability to quicken the reading seems to have increased.

That said, I’m only comfortable listening at 2x’s mode if it is a reader with an accent that is American, Scottish, British, Kiwi, Australian, or Irish—those accents are fine for me at 2x’s mode.

When I traveled to the British Isles this summer with my parents, grandparent, and friend I often understood what the Irish, Brits, or Scots were saying when they didn’t. I attributed the ability to understand their quick accented speech due to the fact that I’ve listened to many audiobooks with British, Irish, and Scottish narrators on 1.5x-2x fast mode.

Other unexpected benefits of listening to audiobooks in fast mode are that my listening skills have increased; I can understand people better, and I can process information more quickly.

There is an exception though when it’s someone with a heavier accent that I am not accustomed to, like the African narrator for the book, The Girl with a Loading Voice: A Novel, I had to slow it down to normal 1x speed to be able to understand it.

Why audiobooks?

Listening to audiobooks and/or Podcasts usually keeps me motivated when I am cleaning, doing laundry, and working out.

Sometimes I’ll switch to lively music if I need a real pick-me-up but for the most part, I listen to books and podcasts.

I clean A LOT. We don’t pay for a housecleaner and I spend at least 6 hours a day cleaning and doing laundry for the 6 of us. While my older kids help out with the chores, the youngest two toddlers actively work against our efforts to keep the house in order so there is always a lot of work to be done. I can somewhat enjoy cleaning when I’m listening to a good book.

When do I listen? I listen to audiobooks when I clean, go on walks, grocery shop, drive, get ready, make dinner, while the kids nap, and pretty much any other time when we aren’t doing family stuff.

I don’t listen when we have family breakfast and the older kids are getting out the door to go to school. I also don’t listen when we eat family dinner together—which we do almost daily.

I also do not listen to audiobooks during the kids’ nighttime routine.

I usually only wear one Airpod so I can hear if the kids need me or talk to me, etc.

I am also constantly pausing the book throughout the day to communicate and play with my kids. If my kids are around and we don’t have a sitter over—even when we aren’t actively doing something together (they are playing, napping, or having some screen time), I’ll have only one Airpod in one ear so that I can hear them if they need me.

Do I listen to anything else? In addition to the books below, each day I listen to or read the scriptures and I also listen to at least a few episodes a week of the Podcasts: Follow Him by Frank Smith and John Bytheway and often I’ll listen to Fortify with Shannon Foster.

Sometimes I’ll listen to music as I LOVE music but usually we listen to music when we are together as a family.

Why do you listen so much? Well besides all of the aforementioned reasons, listening to audiobooks helps keep me from getting depressed.

I’m not kidding here.

The monotony of the daily mounds of laundry and dishes, and the endless cleaning and homemaking tasks are interrupted in my mind by a good book.

I can, while performing these tasks, escape from these tasks subconsciously and enjoy life while doing what I need to to keep our house clean and the family fed and clothed.

How do you afford to listen to so many audiobooks? I use the library for a good percentage of the audiobooks I listen to which are free.

We are also subscribed to the Audible Premium Plus Annual Plan with an Extra 3 Credits and I look out for the Audible credit and ebook deals that offer audiobooks at 60-80% off or when they are buy 1 get 1 free. Doing this makes it so I hardly ever buy books that aren’t part of our monthly subscription.

250 books I’ve read/listened to this year…

The books are in no particular order—except that I group the books in a series together.

The books or series that I’d highly recommend are in bold.

The other books are good. If I really disliked a book, I just didn’t add it to this list.

In fact, 99% of the books I listened to this year I liked! I think it is because I would read some of the best and worst reviews before reading a book whose author was unknown to me. This helped me pick books I believe would be beneficial, clean, and entertaining.

Final Note- While most of the books on this list are pretty clean, a few of the books have terrible language and some have some adult scenes. I’d read reviews if you want to avoid those types of books.

1. Around the World in 80 Day- Jules Verne, Anna Lea – adaptation (dramatized version).
2. West with the Giraffes: A Novel by Lynda Rutledge
3. God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
4. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
5. The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
6. Miss Eliza’s English Kitchen by Annabel Abbs
7. The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
8. Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
9. The World of J.R.R. Tolkien by: Dimitra Fimi
10. The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines
11. The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel by Abi Daré
12. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society: A Novel by Mary Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
13. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
14. I Came to Say Goodbye by Caroline Overington
15. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry: A Novel by Fredrik Backman
16. Austenland by Shannon Hale
17. Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by Daniel James Brown
18. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer: A Novella by Fredrik Backman
19. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
20. The Midnight Library: A Novel by Matt Haig
21. Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
22. The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
23. Project Hail Mary by And Weir
24. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens read by Hugh Grant
25. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
26. My Lady Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows (I read this Dec 2021)
27. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
28. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
29. The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre (read at end of 2021)
30. Yearning for the Living God by Enzio Busche
31. The Gentlewoman Farmer by Emily Opal
32. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
33. The Widow by K.L. Slater
34. Saints Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
35. Saints Volume 3: Boldy, Nobly, and Independent by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Jane Austen- This is probably the 3rd, 4th, or 5th time I’ve read some of Jane Austen’s books but they are just so good that I love re-reading them. I re-read all of JR Tolkeins in 2021, it’s fun re-reading good books! I’ve just recently (December 2022) tried some of the dramatized versions and so far I really like them!

1. Sense and Sensibility
2. Emma (dramatized version with Emma Thompson)
3. Pride and Prejudice
4. Mansfield Park
5. Northanger Abbey (dramatized version with Emma Thompson)
6. Persuasion

Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan— I started this series, and while it really is great, it has gotten harder and harder to follow as there are just too many characters and complexities in the plot to keep straight while multi-tasking with kids. I’ll need to continue reading this series on a long road trip.

1. 1. 1. New Spring
    2. The Eye of the World
    3. The Great Hunt

Brandon Sanderson

- Brandon Sanderson is one of my favorite authors. His books are amazing… If you listen to his audiobooks a tip is to look at the artwork that goes with the book—if available.

Stormlight Series

1. The Way of Kings
2. Words of Radiance
3. Edgedancer
4. Oathbringer
5. Dawnshard
6. Rhythm of War

Mistborn Series

1. The Final Empire
2. The Well of Ascension
3. The Hero of Ages
4. The Alloy of Law
5. Shadows of Self
6. The Bands of Mourning
7. The Lost Metal

The Reckoners

1. Steelheart
2. Firefight
3. Calamity
4. Lux: A Texas Reckoners Novel
5. Mitosis: A Reckoners Story

Skyward Series

1. Skyward
2. Starsight
3. Cytonic
4. Sunreach
5. ReDawn
6. Evershore

Darcie Wilde a Rosalind Thorne Mystery— a great Regency murder mystery series

1. A Useful Woman: A Rosalind Thorne Mystery
2. A Purely Private Matter: A Rosalind Thorne Mystery
3. And Dangerous to Know
4. A Lady Compromised
5. A Counterfeit Suitor
6. The Secret of the Lost Pearls

Sherry Thomas A Lady Sherlock Series- I loved this series.

1. A Study in Scalet Women
2. A Conspiracy in Belgravia
3. The Hollow of Fear
4. The Art of Theft (this one is stupid but I endured it to follow the next few which were good).
5. Murder on Cold Street
6. Miss Moriarty, I Presume?

MC Beaton aka Marion Chesney is another one of my favorite authors.

Hamish Macbeth Mysteries- While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. Death of a Gossip (1985)
2. Death of a Cad (1987)
3. Death of an Outsider (1988)
4. Death of a Perfect Wife (1989)
5. Death of a Hussy (1990)
6. Death of a Snob (1991)
7. Death of a Prankster (1992)
8. Death of a Glutton (1993)
9. Death of a Travelling Man (1993)
10. Death of a Charming Man (1994)
11. Death of a Nag (1995)
12. Death of a Macho Man (1996)
13. Death of a Dentist (1997)
14. Death of a Scriptwriter (1998)
15. Death of an Addict (1999)
16. A Highland Christmas (1999)
17. Death of a Dustman (2001)
18. Death of a Celebrity (2002)
19. Death of a Village (2003)
20. Death of a Poison Pen (2004)
21. Death of a Bore (2005)
22. Death of a Dreamer (2006)
23. Death of a Maid (2007)
24. Death of a Gentle Lady (2008)
25. Death of a Witch (2009)
26. Death of a Valentine (2009)
27. Death of a Chimney Sweep (2011)
28. Death of a Kingfisher (2012)
29. Death of Yesterday (2013)
30. Death of a Policeman (2012)
31. Death of a Liar (2015)
32. Knock, Knock, You’re Dead! (2016)
33. Death of a Nurse (2016)
34. Death of a Ghost (2017)
35. Death of an Honest Man (2018)
36. Death of a Green-Eyed Monster (2022)

Agatha Raisin Mysteries-While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. Agatha’s First Case (2015)
2. The Quiche of Death (1992)
3. The Vicious Vet (1993)
4. The Potted Gardener (1994)
5. The Walkers of Dembley (1995)
6. The Murderous Marriage (1996)
7. The Terrible Tourist (1997)
8. The Wellspring of Death (1998)
9. The Wizard of Evesham (1999)
10. The Witch of Wyckhadden (1999)
11. The Fairies of Fryfam (2000)
12. The Love from Hell (2001)
13. The Day the Floods Came (2002)
14. The Case of the Curious Curate (2001)
15. The Haunted House (2003)
16. The Deadly Dance (2004)
17. The Perfect Paragon (2005)
18. Love, Lies and Liquor (2006)
19. Kissing Christmas Goodbye (2007)
20. Agatha Raisin and a Spoonful of Poison (2008)
21. There Goes The Bride (2009)
22. Busy Body (2010)
23. As the Pig Turns (2011)
24. Hiss and Hers (2012)
25. Something Borrowed, Someone Dead (2013)
26. The Blood of an Englishman (2014)
27. Dishing the Dirt (2015)
28. Pushing up Daisies (2016)
29. The Witches’ Tree (2017)
30. The Dead Ringer (2018)
31. Beating About the Bush (2019)
32. Hot to Trot (2020)
33. Down the Hatch (2021)

Regency Novels by MC Beaton aka Marion Chesney

If you enjoy regency books, the ones below are fun reads! Some are great works and others aren’t my favorite. However, collectively they are worth listening to. Most are rated G, PG, or PG-13.

Since there are so many and in order to not get sick of books about Regency England, I would read/listen to a few of these and then read a different genre and come back for a few more and so on just so that I didn’t get too sick of the Regency time period.

Some of her books need to be read in their series order. Others in groupings are stand-alone. See her website MCbeaton.com if you would like to know more specifics.

School for Manners-While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. Refining Felicity (1988)
2. Perfecting Fiona (1989)
3. Enlightening Delilah (1989)
4. Finessing Clarissa (1989)
5. Animating Maria (1990)
6. Marrying Harriet (1990)

Travelling Matchmaker-While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. Emily Goes to Exeter (1990)
2. Belinda Goes to Bath (1991)
3. Penelope Goes to Portsmouth (1991)
4. Beatrice Goes to Brighton (1991)
5. Deborah Goes to Dover (1992)
6. Yvonne Goes to York (1992)

Poor Relation-While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. Lady Fortescue Steps Out (1993)
2. Miss Tonks Turns to Crime (1993)
3. Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace (1993)
4. Sir Philip’s Folly (1993)
5. Colonel Sandhurst to the Rescue (1994)
6. Back in Society (1994)

House for the Season-While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. The Miser of Mayfair (1986)
2. Plain Jane (1986)
3. The Wicked Godmother (1987)
4. Rake’s Progress (1987)
5. The Adventuress (1987)
6. Rainbird’s Revenge (1988)

Six Sisters-While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. Minerva (1983)
2. The Taming of Annabelle (1983)
3. Deirdre and Desire (1984)
4. Daphne (1984)
5. Diana the Huntress (1985)
6. Frederica in Fashion (1985)

Waverly Women-While some books are better than others, I loved this series.

1. The First Rebellion (1989)
2. Silken Bonds (1989)
3. The Love Match (1989)

The Regency Intrigue Series

1. The Flirt (1985)
2. Regency Gold (1980)
3. Lessons in Love (1987)
4. The Scandalous Lady Wright (1990)
5. His Lordship’s Pleasure (1991)
6. The Ghost and Lady Alice (1982)
7. The Constant Companion (1980)
8. Dancing on the Wind (2003)

Daughters of Mannerling

1. The Banishment (1995)
2. The Intrigue (1995)
3. The Deception (1996)
4. The Folly (1996)
5. The Romance (1997)
6. The Homecoming (1997)

Changing Fortunes

1. The Westerby Inheritance (1982)
2. The Loves of Lord Granton (1996)
3. The Marquis Takes a Bride (1980)
4. Lady Anne’s Deception (1985) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
5. Milady in Love (1987)
6. The Highland Countess (1981)
7. My Lords, Ladies and Marjorie (1981)
8. Love and Lady Lovelace (1982)
9. The Westerby Sisters (1983)

Endearing Young Charms

1. The French Affair (1984)
2. To Dream of Love (1986)
3. A Marriage of Inconvenience (1992)
4. A Governess of Distinction (1992)
5. The Glitter and the Gold (1993)
6. Duke’s Diamonds (1982)
7. Those Endearing Young Charms (1986)

Regency Candlelight

1. Annabelle (1981)
2. Henrietta (1980) (as by Ann Fairfax)
3. Penelope (1983)

Regency Season

1. The Original Miss Honeyford (1985)
2. At the Sign of the Golden Pineapple (1987)
3. The Education of Miss Patterson (1985)
4. Sweet Masquerade (1984)
5. Quadrille (1981)
6. Miss Davenport’s Christmas (1993)
7. The Perfect Gentleman (1988)
8. Dancing on the Wind (2003)
9. The Constant Companion (1980)

Royal Ambition

1. The Dreadful Debutante (1994)
2. The Savage Marquess (1988)
3. Miss Fiona’s Fancy (1987)
4. The Viscount’s Revenge (1983)
5. The Chocolate Debutante (1995)
6. Lady Margery’s Intrigue (1980)
7. The Paper Princess (1987)

Edwardian Candlelight

1. Polly (1979) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
2. Molly (1980) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
3. Ginny (1980) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
4. Tilly (1981) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
5. Susie (1981) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
6. Kitty (1980) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
7. Daisy (1979) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
8. Sally (1982) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
9. Maggie (1984) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
10. Poppy (1990) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
11. Pretty Polly (1988)
12. Lucy (1987) (as by Jennie Tremaine)
13. My Lords, Ladies and Marjorie (1981)

Dukes & Desires

1. The Desirable Duchess (1993)
2. Her Grace’s Passion (1991)
3. The Sins of Lady Dacey (1994)
4. My Dear Duchess (1979)
5. Lady Lucy’s Lover (1983)
6. The Scandalous Marriage (1991)