20 Best Nonfiction Audiobooks to Enjoy

20 Best Nonfiction Audiobooks to Enjoy

Australia’s best nonfiction audiobooks take involved, often intimidating subjects and reinvigorate them with sharp narration so you can stay focused and on track. In this list, we’ll share our picks for some of the best nonfiction audio out there, tackling a wide array of topics — from the entire history of humanity to astrophysics to our gut and mental health. No matter what your preference is, Audible’s list will keep you engaged with some of the most fascinating, deeply human real-life stories that our audiobook collections have to offer.
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  • Becoming cover art

    • Becoming

    • By: Michelle Obama
    • Narrated by: Michelle Obama
    • Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
    • Release date: 13-11-2018
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 9,642 ratings
    • Former first lady Michelle Obama has had a life like a work of fiction — growing up in humble and austere beginnings on the south side of Chicago, pursuing studies and a career in law, marrying a man who will one day be the most powerful person in the western world, and in a matter of years, being thrust upon the world stage as a figure of hope, of change, and of becoming. This incredibly honest memoir goes into emotional detail about the experiences and sometimes struggles of her life — being subject to public opinion at every turn, acting as a beacon of hope to African-American and marginalised communities around the United States and the world, and at the same time, fulfilling her role as a mother to her two daughters. Told in her own words and on her own terms, Michelle Obama’s Becoming is a rare look into an inspirational life of triumphs, disappointments, achievements and fighting for what’s right.

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  • Sapiens cover art

    • Sapiens

    • By: Yuval Noah Harari
    • Narrated by: Derek Perkins
    • Series: Sapiens
    • Length: 15 hrs and 18 mins
    • Release date: 30-04-2015
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 10,474 ratings
    • Tracking humankind from its origin (that’s more than 70,000 years ago!) is no easy feat, but it’s exactly what author Yuval Noah Harari does with deft precision in Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Focusing on the appearance of modern cognition, Harari tracks the evolution of humans and why five other species went extinct. The author breaks up our history into four key areas: the evolution of imagination, the introduction of agriculture, the emergence of politics and organizations, and the rise of science. With the help of Audie Award winner Derek Perkins’s clear and authoritative narration, the wide scope of this listen remains easy to digest in a way that stays engaging and thoughtful throughout. Embark on a thrilling journey to understand what underpins our species, and how from humble and natural beginnings, humans (or homo sapiens) now are ‘rulers’ of the modern world.

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  • Dark Emu cover art

    • Dark Emu

    • Black Seeds: Agriculture or Accident?
    • By: Bruce Pascoe
    • Narrated by: Bruce Pascoe
    • Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
    • Release date: 10-01-2017
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,699 ratings
    • An often-overlooked angle of Australian heritage and colonial history, Dark Emu explores the stories of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — the true and original custodians of the land. In this audiobook, celebrated writer Bruce Pascoe narrates his own work, describing how Aboriginal Australian communities have commonly been misrepresented in European histories, labelled solely as a 'hunter-gatherer' society. Instead, Pascoe explores the diaries of early colonial explorers to discover the food production, land management and agriculture systems in place in pre-colonial Australia, questioning our most fundamental understandings of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities before colonisation. Listeners can expect to challenge their perceptions and engage with a rich cultural history of early Australia.

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  • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck cover art

    • The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

    • A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
    • By: Mark Manson
    • Narrated by: Roger Wayne
    • Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
    • Release date: 13-09-2016
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 14,106 ratings
    • The title may not be subtle, and this listen — which has taken the self-help world by storm — sure packs a punch, too. Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck gives listeners the tools and tricks they need to cut through the nonsense and head on a pathway towards a happier and healthier life. There are only so many things that we can worry — or seriously give a f*ck — about, so it’s our job to find those moments of truth and real value so we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek. Narrated by Roger Wayne, this listen may hit home some painful truths, but is giving many of us the ability to log into their emotions and take with them only the things that matter.

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  • Born a Crime cover art

    • Born a Crime

    • Stories from a South African Childhood
    • By: Trevor Noah
    • Narrated by: Trevor Noah
    • Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
    • Release date: 17-11-2016
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 4,768 ratings
    • You may know Trevor Noah as the host of US satirical hit, The Daily Show, but before he took to late-night television, he was busy learning to become a storyteller and satirist in South Africa during the end of Apartheid. In his self-narrated memoir Born a Crime, Noah tells his coming-of-age story, born to a white father and black mother — a union that was, at the time, punishable by five years in jail. This listen is full of mischievous childhood anecdotes, in addition to more serious tales about survival, painting a complex picture of what it was like to grow up in a time and place where your very existence was declared a crime. A comedian at heart, Noah’s jokes, wit, and storytelling soar as they’re delivered exactly as he intended. His expert impersonations and shining personality as he performs this audio are what make listening so enjoyable — and what earned him the 2018 Audie Award for Best Male Narrator.

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  • Outliers cover art

    • Outliers

    • The Story of Success
    • By: Malcolm Gladwell
    • Narrated by: Malcolm Gladwell
    • Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
    • Release date: 18-11-2008
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,979 ratings
    • What makes one person successful and another not? This question is the driving force behind Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers: The Story of Success — a study that suggests we pay far too much attention to personality and individual traits in successful people, when we should instead look at their traditions and background. A journalist and public speaker, Gladwell elevates his text to essential listening with this performance. As he explains the rule of 10,000 hours of practice or why cultural traditions determine how good of a pilot someone may be, you’ll feel like you’re being taught as you listen, coming to conclusions just as Gladwell does. Blending anecdotes and evidence, this title makes it simple and straightforward to grasp key takeaways without feeling overloaded.

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  • A Short History of Nearly Everything cover art

    • A Short History of Nearly Everything

    • By: Bill Bryson
    • Narrated by: William Roberts
    • Length: 18 hrs and 59 mins
    • Release date: 26-12-2004
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,389 ratings
    • A Short History of Nearly Everything — now that’s an oxymoron, right? Luckily for you, author Bill Bryson’s critically acclaimed nonfiction listen clocks in at a reasonable 19 hours, so you won’t be living another lifetime to complete this title. Going from the Big Bang to the rise of modern society, Bryson travels to all corners of the world to question experts and build out his work. Narrated by American voice performer William Roberts, Bryson goes into some detail explaining that while topics covered may be complex, he himself knew very little about them before authoring his work. So, don’t feel too overwhelmed to dive into all of the world’s history, because between you and us, it doesn't cover absolutely everything. It’s nearly everything.

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  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings cover art

    • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

    • By: Maya Angelou
    • Narrated by: Maya Angelou
    • Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
    • Release date: 04-04-2014
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 314 ratings
    • Maya Angelou’s autobiography — I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings — shares the early life and childhood of the author and poet. And there’s no better way to enjoy these vivid, dramatic tales — both in their humour and intensity — than hearing them in Angelou’s own voice. Her retellings are so genuine that this performance feels like a relative or dear friend of yours is sharing childhood memories with you. While some of the stories may at times be difficult to hear, it’s Angelou’s boldness and honesty in discussing her past that make this moving memoir worth listening to. It’s an American classic which has stood the test of time and transcended borders.

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  • The Resilience Project cover art

    • The Resilience Project

    • Finding Happiness Through Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness
    • By: Hugh van Cuylenburg
    • Narrated by: Hugh van Cuylenburg
    • Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins
    • Release date: 19-11-2019
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 8,426 ratings
    • Little did Hugh van Cuylenburg know that a trip to India would change the course of his life. Volunteering in communities in northern India as a primary school teacher, he realised the atmosphere of positivity that permeated the air — where did it come from and why did young people seem so much more contented here than at home? What ensued was The Resilience Project: less a self-help guide and more an exploration of how we can harness the power of positivity to create a more meaningful and happy life, even in times of struggles. Narrated by van Cuylenburg himself, take a listen to the stories and answers he has found and shared with thousands — school kids, sporting elite and CEOs alike.

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  • Astrophysics for People in a Hurry cover art

    • Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

    • By: Neil deGrasse Tyson
    • Narrated by: Neil deGrasse Tyson
    • Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins
    • Release date: 02-05-2017
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,749 ratings
    • Astrophysics is not typically considered a light or easy topic you can learn on your way to work, but Astrophysics for People in a Hurry may just change that. Perfect for fans of Cosmos by Carl Sagan — a man who was also known for making difficult scientific concepts digestible — Neil deGrasse Tyson’s work takes complex questions about our universe and answers them in an equally easy-to-understand way. Discussing topics like gravity, speed and light travel, and dark matter, Tyson’s genial, chatty tone takes away the intimidation and makes you feel like a friend is explaining everything to you, making this the perfect listen for stolen moments in between your busy daily routine.

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  • 48 Laws of Power cover art

    • 48 Laws of Power

    • By: Robert Greene
    • Narrated by: Richard Poe
    • Length: 23 hrs and 6 mins
    • Release date: 01-05-2015
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,033 ratings
    • In 48 Laws of Power, writer Robert Greene aims to simplify 3,000 years of advice on power and leadership into 48 straightforward laws. Whether you’re interested in leading a personal project, company, or something much larger, this study on the likes of Machiavelli and Sun Tzu will offer simple home truths you can take with you in all parts of your life. Richard Poe’s narration swiftly shifts between tones for different characters, bringing the diverse range of stories to life. With simple vignettes to paint the picture and short chapters to keep you on track, you can begin to internalize key learnings such as ‘enter with boldness’ to help prepare for your next important meeting.

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  • How to Win Friends & Influence People cover art

    • How to Win Friends & Influence People

    • By: Dale Carnegie
    • Narrated by: Andrew MacMillan
    • Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
    • Release date: 16-09-2004
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 5,312 ratings
    • Published nearly 90 years ago, How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is still considered one of the best self-help works on the market. Each lesson in this timeless gem is distilled into a memorable list with Carnegie tackling subjects from how to make people like you to how to be a leader — even how to make your personal life happier. This listen is further enhanced by MacMillan’s narrative performance, who allows the text to breathe by never over-delivering, while still adding enthusiasm and colour. His narration lets Carnegie’s classic work speak for itself, adding flourishes and unique intonations to animate the stories and experiences for a new audience.

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  • Between the World and Me cover art

    • Between the World and Me

    • By: Ta-Nehisi Coates
    • Narrated by: Ta-Nehisi Coates
    • Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
    • Release date: 14-07-2015
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 194 ratings
    • Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates is told as a series of letters to his son — which makes hearing Coates read his story aloud all the more powerful. Charged with raw experiences and emotional honesty, this listen is infused with warmth and love, though the stories it tells are often quite difficult to listen to. Throughout his work, Coates addresses the challenges of being black in a political and social climate teeming with racial tension. His boldness in facing America’s racist history while also imagining the possibilities towards a better tomorrow culminate in a stunning, anguished listen. It’s no wonder this title’s list of accolades and awards is as long as it is.

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  • The Four Agreements cover art

    • The Four Agreements

    • By: don Miguel Ruiz
    • Narrated by: Peter Coyote
    • Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins
    • Release date: 27-01-2005
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 1,976 ratings
    • A best seller for more than a decade, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz uses Toltec wisdom to teach us how to be happier and remove the negative forces in our lives. With just four simple agreements, Ruiz offers an easy code for us to live by: say what you mean, don’t take things personally, don’t make assumptions, and always try to do your best. Actor Peter Coyote’s passionate delivery makes each ancient gem of wisdom accessible and understandable. His performance feels like a friend offering advice — a warm delivery that ensures the staying power of each agreement.

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  • Mating in Captivity cover art

    • Mating in Captivity

    • Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
    • By: Esther Perel
    • Narrated by: Esther Perel
    • Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins
    • Release date: 19-10-2017
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 1,178 ratings
    • Renowned sex therapist Esther Perel has helped hundreds of couples bring passion to their home lives. In Mating in Captivity, Perel explores our relationship with both domesticity and eroticism, highlighting how the two are inherently at odds with one another. Using her experience as a therapist, Perel’s own narration makes listening feel both calming and enlightening. As you hear different stories and lessons, Perel will help you question the social norms you bring home — and provide a plan for how to shake them up. With hundreds of raving reviews and a focus on maturity in sex, this is definitely a listen for those yearning to level up their life at home.

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  • Any Ordinary Day cover art

    • Any Ordinary Day

    • Blindsides, Resilience and What Happens After the Worst Day of Your Life
    • By: Leigh Sales
    • Narrated by: Leigh Sales
    • Length: 6 hrs and 29 mins
    • Release date: 01-10-2018
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 2,881 ratings
    • How does one normal day get flipped upside down and turned into anything but, and who is there when ordinary turns extraordinary? Any Ordinary Day is the creation of highly awarded Australian journalist Leigh Sales — after experiencing a dramatic change in her own life, she went on a journey to document a series of thoroughly researched profiles all with life-altering stories. This listen shows how strength and resilience form in the depths of trauma, and how others who support such individuals in their work or vocation provide care and emotional value beyond expectation. The simple and moving performance by Sales makes this a must-listen. Life can change without notice, and the advice from those who’ve gone through trauma can be strangely reassuring in a world with such unpredictability.

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  • Gut cover art

    • Gut

    • By: Giulia Enders
    • Narrated by: Katy Sobey
    • Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
    • Release date: 24-06-2015
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,043 ratings
    • Digestion may not be the most attractive of body functions, but it’s nearly as important to us as our brain and our heart, and a lot of us don’t know much about it. Down-to-earth and relatable, author Giulia Enders’ Gut goes into embarrassingly funny detail all about our health below the belly and how it impacts on every other organ in the body. Coupled with the enthusiastic narration of Katy Sobey, it’s the perfect self-help book for your insides, giving you an insight into what happens at all stages of digestion, and how you can positively affect your body.

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  • Quarterly Essay 76: Red Flag cover art

    • Quarterly Essay 76: Red Flag

    • Waking Up to China's Challenge
    • By: Peter Hartcher
    • Narrated by: Peter Hartcher
    • Series: Quarterly Essays
    • Length: 3 hrs and 31 mins
    • Release date: 25-11-2019
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 528 ratings
    • Number 76 of Australia’s leading periodical Quarterly Essay, author and journalist Peter Hartcher’s Red Flag: Waking up to China’s Challenge discusses that, while Australia has come to see China as a key partner in security, economy and identity, there's still much to consider about the Asian country's own motivations and intentions. Hartcher takes his journalistic eye to this issue, and paints an authoritative and well-researched picture combining local stories as well as the larger geopolitical landscape in play. What are Beijing’s plans with Australia into the future, and should we be casting an eye of trepidation or be ready to embrace the undeniable influence that China brings? Listen to this detailed and insightful exploration, and make up your mind for yourself.

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Audiobook lists are hand-picked by Audible editors; inclusion is based on a number of factors including
listener ratings, narrator performances, presence on Audible best seller lists and cultural relevance.


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