Classic Novels That Are Even Better as Audiobooks
In honor of Audiobook Appreciation Month 2025
June is for iced tea, hammocks, long walks, and… letting someone else read to you.
It’s Audiobook Appreciation Month, and we’re celebrating the art of listening—because some stories bloom more beautifully when spoken aloud. Audiobooks can breathe new life into classic literature, especially when the right narrator meets the right book.
Whether you’re folding laundry, walking the dog, or drifting off at night, here are some of the best audiobooks of timeless novels, read by voices that don’t just perform—they enchant. Click on titles for the exact narration.
🎙️ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Narrator: Juliet Stevenson
There’s Juliet Stevenson… and then there’s everyone else. Her narration of Jane Eyre is rich, emotional, and utterly magnetic. She makes Jane’s quiet resolve and Rochester’s moody presence leap from the page (er, earbuds).
💡 Perfect for: Curling up with your feelings or folding six loads of laundry dramatically.
🎙️ North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Narrator: Juliet Stevenson (again—because yes, she’s that good)
Stevenson masterfully captures Margaret Hale’s strength and John Thornton’s delicious tension. The northern grit, the southern grace—it’s all there in the cadence of her voice.
💡 Perfect for: Lovers of slow-burn romance and industrial drama.
🎙️ Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Narrator: Rosamund Pike
You may know her as Jane Bennet in the 2005 film—but here, Pike brings all the characters to life with elegance and subtle wit. Her Mr. Darcy? Chef’s kiss.
💡 Perfect for: Sunday strolls, bubble baths, or savoring Austen’s satire with headphones in.
🎙️ Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Narrator: Dan Stevens
Yes, that’s Cousin Matthew from Downton Abbey, but don’t let the charm fool you—his Frankenstein is haunting, poetic, and completely absorbing. A gothic delight.
💡 Perfect for: Foggy mornings and long car rides.
🎙️ The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Narrator: Simon Prebble
Prebble captures the biting beauty of Wilde’s wit with the perfect blend of decadence and dread. You’ll laugh. You’ll shiver. You’ll want more Wilde.
💡 Perfect for: Twilight listening or journaling your secret vices.
🎙️ The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Narrator: Carrie Hope Fletcher
Fletcher’s warm, lilting voice captures both the mystery and magic of the moors. A joy for adults and kids alike.
💡 Perfect for: Tea on the porch. Listening with little ones. Healing your inner child.
🎙️ The Odyssey by Homer (Emily Wilson translation)
Narrator: Claire Danes
This modern, lyrical translation paired with Danes’ measured, evocative narration makes Homer’s epic feel fresh and ancient all at once.
💡 Perfect for: Feeling like a hero while unloading the dishwasher.
🎧 Why Audiobooks Matter
Sometimes reading is hard. You’re tired. Distracted. Touched out. Audiobooks give you back the story without pressure. They remind us that literature began in the oral tradition. That being read to is an act of love.
So this month, let the voices carry you.
📲 Your Audiobook Challenge:
This June, listen to one classic novel you’ve never finished in print—or one you think you “should” read. Let the narrator take the wheel. You might just fall in love.
🎧 How to Listen to These Audiobooks for Cheap
Love the sound of these audiobooks but not the price tag? You don’t have to spend a fortune to get swept away by a great narration. Here are my favorite ways to listen without breaking the bank:
🎧 Spotify Premium
Many classic audiobooks are available on Spotify (yes, really).
Look for full-album-style recordings of public domain books.
Premium members can download for offline listening.
📱 Audible Free Trial
Audible offers a 30-day trial with one or two free credits (depending on your plan).
Use your credit to get a high-quality classic narration—start with Juliet Stevenson’s Jane E
Cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want the monthly fee.
🏛 Your Local Library (Libby or Hoopla)
Most U.S. libraries offer free audiobook access through apps like Libby and Hoopla.
All you need is a library card!
Many of the titles listed above are available in multiple narrator versions.
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Happy listening,
Karen 🎧🌸
Not a big audio book kind of person, but my Princeton university book babe, Nicole barbaro simovski Ph.D says they count as reading. Yep we had a discussion about that. I guess my biggest issue is with the narrators, not the book content itself. Maybe this is something I should revisit in the future. Don’t want to begin rowing that Sean Connery boat, Never Say Never Again.