If you love to read but find it hard to find the spare time, audiobooks are a great alternative! Listening to audiobooks allow you to catch up on your favourite novels while sitting at your desk, that next long car ride or even doing the house work.
While services like Audible have a great catalogue of audiobooks, there are actually other alternatives that have diverse catalogues and even better is that they are free! One platform that offers a huge range of audiobooks is YouTube which has hundreds of iconic titles from fantasy, sci-fi, business, personal development and more.
Top 10 Best YouTube Audiobooks Available Right Now
1. Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy – Douglas Adams
Kicking off this list is one of the most iconic, hilarious and just down right exciting books to read. Personally this is a book I have read several times and each sitting gets better than the last.
While Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy is a science fiction novel, it is so much more than that. It explores the quirkiness of space, the vastness, randomness and all the amazing characters that come along with that. If you truly want to laugh out loud, this is a great starting point!
2. 1984 – George Orwell
Next up on this list of best YouTube audiobooks is the somewhat somber but quite enlightening 1984 by George Orwell. With this current political climate plus technology be so present in our lives, this book is more relative than ever before.
Set in a dystopian future where ignorance is strength and war is peace, this book really does make you wonder about the direction of civilisation and a blueprint of things to avoid. Truly a great book!
3. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling
Must I give an introduction to this classic that has spawned a generation of wizarding fans? While almost everybody knows about and has most likely seen the Harry Potter movies. Many still have yet to read the books. I myself only just read Harry Potter for the first time and it still had my imagination ignited as an adult. It’s never too late to listen to Harry Potter!
4. Alices’ Adventures In Wonderland – Lewis Caroll
One of the best short stories ever to be written has to be Alice’s Adventure In Wonderland. Its compressed story sure does pack a big punch and you are sure to pick up on many of the references that have made there way into movies, books and so much more. This is quick listen that you could easily do in one sitting.
5. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
6. The Martian – Andy Weir
Next up on this list of best YouTube audiobooks is the noteworthy Martian by Andy Weir. As the name suggests, the recent movie The Martian was based on this pager turner sci-fi about a marooned astronaut on Mars. He shows the length someone will go to for their survival in the most inhabitable place in the galaxy.
7. The Time Machine – H. G. Wells
While I’m on the topic of sci-fi, I’ll also include the book that first pioneered the time travel genre for all of fiction. Just because something is first, doesn’t necessarily make it good. But in this case, The Time Machine is one of the best books you will ever listen to. It will truly take your mind on an exciting adventure.
8. Walden – Henry David Thoreau
Moving onto the next audiobook on this list is the ultra classic Walden. While this book is of some age, the message and journey that the protagonist undertakes while establishing his life in the woods is a pleasurable read. It asks the questions about what makes one happy and getting fulfilment from lives simple tasks. If you love philosophy or are interested in the topic, this is one of the best!
9. The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Some would say that The Great Gatsby is one of the best books ever written. While this can obviously differ depending on who you ask, there is no denying that this is one of the most heart felt books one can read. The narration of this audiobook is also done exmtrely well to keep you involved the whole way. A must listen to!
10. The Art Of War – Sun Tzu
Last but no least on this list is the ever lasting The Art Of War by Sun Tzu. Depending on who you ask, people see this book as a great guide to personal development, business growth and sports strategy. Any of these can apply as it was written by one of the most successful Chinese generals to ever live. It’s compact but is a gold nugget of knowledge!
Want to learn more? Below you can check out some out most noteworthy articles.
John Sullivan says
What a great idea for a post! I listen to audiobooks with great pleasure.
Bill R says
Thanks for the comment! Yes YouTube has a huge range of audiobooks and even better is that you can download them for off line listening.
Side eyeing your list says
I love audio books and have a huge and diverse collection. I literally detest Alice in Wonderland and the Great Gatsby. Of the two, however, Gatsby makes me gag. I don’t know a single person of color who likes the book even if they were compelled to read or teach it… a bunch of irrelevant, pitiful wastrels.
Cyndee says
I understand about Great Gatsby but what’s wrong with Alice in Wonderland? I love it!
I am just curious. Would like to hear your opinion. Thanks!