The 100 best listens of the past decade

Australian author Liane Moriarty had already made her name with previous works such as The Husband’s Secret, but it was 2014’s Big Little Lies that made her an international sensation. A domestic thriller centred around a primary school on the Pirriwee seaside, the multiple-perspective story hooked listeners with its unpausable suspense and provocative themes of bullying, gossip and domestic violence. Though the novel was later adapted into a must-watch HBO television series starring Nicole Kidman, we still love the audiobook, with its pitch-perfect narration and original Aussie setting, best. As listener Carol aptly notes, “Liane Moriarty and Caroline Lee are a match made in heaven.”

No story lover’s collection would be complete without the Harry Potter series, which topped our listening in 2015 with the incredible narration of beloved performer Stephen Fry. When 11-year-old orphan Harry finds out he’s a wizard, he’s whisked away to a strange world filled with magic, adventure and new friends. Fry, a true master of his craft, brings each character to life with infectious enthusiasm and a showman’s flair. Author J.K. Rowling’s fantastical imagination has touched the hearts of millions with her tales of friendship, courage, and the fundamental battle between good and evil. Now, Fry’s recordings have amassed their own global fanbase, starting with this bravura first installment.

Born a Crime was not only rated Audible’s Best Celebrity Memoir in 2016, author Trevor Noah also received the coveted Audie Award for Best Male Narrator. It’s no wonder this pick is so acclaimed – Noah’s heartfelt, authentic delivery of some of his most personal stories makes for an absolutely unforgettable listen. A coming-of-age narrative set against the backdrop of Apartheid-era South Africa, this audio memoir consists of 18 essays that illuminate Noah’s experiences as the “criminal” child of a Black mother and a white father. Rich with honesty and wit and fleshed out with Noah’s impeccable impressions, Born a Crime is not only one of the funniest comedy audiobooks of all time, it’s also the most profound.

Another year, another wow-worthy performance from audio renaissance man Stephen Fry, beloved voice of some of the greatest literary franchises of all time, from Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. With the release of his self-narrated Mythos in 2017, Fry boosted his profile as an accomplished authorrator, kicking off a stylish new series on Greek mythology that would go on to include Heroes, Troy and Odyssey. Whether you were already on intimate terms with Zeus, Persephone and Pandora or were hearing their stories for the first time, Fry’s clear passion, creative storytelling and next-level performance brought them to unparalleled, exhilarating life – and thus, a new classic was born.

No matter your goals or even your preferred genre, James Clear’s Atomic Habits has probably made an impact on your life already. Offering a proven framework for making big improvements through the previously overlooked realm of daily habits, Atomic Habits helps listeners nurture good behaviours and banish bad ones, while showing how even small, incremental shifts can lead to remarkable results. Step by step and in his own engaging narration, Clear’s blockbuster audiobook distils information from complex fields (psychology, biology, neuroscience) into an action plan that’s easy to apply and transformative for so many listeners. If you haven’t tried it yet, what are you waiting for?

They say some like it hot, but as it turns out, the audience for a podcast about the quest for extreme spiciness is quite a bit larger, at least when it's led by Marc Fennell. With It Burns, the award-winning Australian journalist and documentary producer gave listeners a front-row seat to an international competition to produce the world’s hottest pepper: big personalities, wild scandals, deep emotions and all. Tracking the contentious race to produce a pepper worthy of a Guinness World Record entry, the ever-inquisitive Fennell explores the world of “chilli-heads” – a subculture of folks who can’t get enough of the hot stuff. With a deadly blend of fierce competition and fascinating cultural exploration, this pod is sure to leave your ears steaming.

Offering a masterclass in vulnerability, Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey culled this memoir from his personal journals packed with failures, joys and sorrows. In each success and failure, he manages to find a gem of wisdom or a bit of advice to pass on to the listener, from thoughts on what makes a good man to how to live a life full of purpose. The title comes from the actor’s belief that when you know how to take on and deal with life’s challenges, you’ll catch all the greenlights, a state of success. In his signature cool, laid-back voice, McConaughey narrates in a tone that never feels condescending but instead like a familiar, reassuring friend accompanying you on the journey.

Winner of the Audiobook of the Year title at both Audible and the Audie Awards for 2021, Project Hail Mary is an interstellar buddy story that was meant to be heard! Not only are its two main characters completely endearing and unforgettable (yes, we want Ryland Grace and Rocky action figures), but the production itself — with a unique audio element you just have to hear to appreciate — represents a serendipitous convergence of talent and format. Writer Andy Weir and narrator Ray Porter created something truly special with a fun, smart, immensely entertaining production that speaks to listeners of all types. It will forever exemplify the best of 2021 listening.

This acclaimed audio documentary tells an essential yet disturbing slice of little-known queer history. Intrepid creators Patrick Abboud and Simon Cunich venture into the dark true story of a secretive government operation based in an unassuming Australian town. Its single mission: to eradicate society’s “greatest menace,” homosexuality, with a secret prison designed specifically to incarcerate gay men. Emotionally gut-wrenching, this listen is also full of uplifting stories of resilience and unapologetic authenticity. In addition to making our Best of the Decade list, The Greatest Menace also won the Walkley Foundation’s prestigious Media Diversity Australia Award as well as two prizes at the 2022 New York Festivals Radio Awards.

There’s no denying that Fourth Wing was THE listening sensation of 2023. Like its subgenre, romantasy, Rebecca Yarros’s Empyrean series grew to dominate our feeds and our hearts in equal measure. This first book in the series is a riveting mix of an underdog story and a chosen-one story, and we rooted for protagonist Violet in the brutal, high-stakes world of elite dragon riders – and especially for her furtive, rebellious romance. A total treat to listen to, the always-on plot is ushered along by Rebecca Soler’s engaging narration, with bonus chapters read by Teddy Hamilton. Yarros soon answered fans' plea for more with full-cast dramatisations and new series installments – making our first listen of 2025 pretty much a no-brainer.