Apple’s 2025 Audiobook Picks Showcase the Year’s Biggest Listening Trends

Apple’s Top Audiobooks of 2025 Highlight Fiction, Nonfiction, and Major Literary Voices

Audiobooks continued their rapid rise in popularity in 2025, with Apple Books reporting strong engagement across fiction, nonfiction, and literary storytelling. This year’s most-listened-to audiobooks reflect a broad range of reader interests—from sweeping fantasy and literary fiction to investigative nonfiction and practical communication guides.

Apple’s top audiobooks of 2025 showcase established bestselling authors alongside emerging voices, reinforcing how audio storytelling has become a central way readers experience books. Below are some of the standout titles that helped define Apple’s audiobook charts this year.

Apple’s 2025 Audiobook Picks Showcase the Year’s Biggest Listening Trends

• 1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin
• The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
• Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
• The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly
• Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall
• Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
• The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin

Journalist and bestselling author Andrew Ross Sorkin delivers a gripping nonfiction account of the year that reshaped global finance. 1929 examines the economic collapse that led to the Great Depression, blending historical research with narrative storytelling that translates particularly well to audio.

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

Fantasy readers gravitated toward Rachel Gillig’s dark and atmospheric novel, which combines gothic elements with myth and mystery. The audiobook’s immersive narration enhances the novel’s tone, making it one of the most talked-about fantasy listens of the year.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Known for her emotionally resonant environmental fiction, McConaghy’s Wild Dark Shore explores humanity’s fragile relationship with nature. The audiobook format amplifies the novel’s introspective mood and vivid setting.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins returned to the world of Panem with a new Hunger Games prequel, drawing massive interest from longtime fans. The audiobook became one of the year’s most anticipated releases, benefiting from strong narration and built-in global demand.

The Proving Ground by Michael Connelly

Crime fiction remains a dominant audiobook genre, and Michael Connelly’s latest thriller delivered exactly what listeners expected. The Proving Ground continues his tradition of tightly paced storytelling that works seamlessly in audio form.

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

This literary novel gained attention for its emotional depth and reflective prose. The audiobook resonated with listeners seeking character-driven stories and thoughtful narration.

Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Patrick Ryan’s Buckeye offers a powerful exploration of identity and place. The audiobook format brings added intimacy to the story, helping it stand out among literary fiction releases in 2025.

The Next Conversation by Jefferson Fisher

Nonfiction also performed strongly on Apple’s audiobook charts. Jefferson Fisher’s The Next Conversation focuses on communication, conflict resolution, and meaningful dialogue—topics that continue to attract a wide listening audience.

Audiobooks Continue to Shape Reading Habits

Apple’s top audiobooks of 2025 reflect how listeners are increasingly turning to audio for both entertainment and education. With high-quality narration, accessibility, and a wide range of genres, audiobooks have become a core part of modern reading culture.

As publishers continue to invest in audio-first releases and celebrity narrators, audiobooks are likely to remain a dominant force well beyond 2025—especially on platforms like Apple Books, where discovery and curation play a major role.

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