The 18 best audiobooks and podcasts of 2022, according to Audible

Best audiobook of 2022: "All My Rage" by Sabaa Tahir

"All My Rage" by Sabaa Tahir, available at Amazon and Libro, from $33.69

Audible's all-around favorite audiobook of 2022 is "All My Rage," a contemporary young adult novel about Salahudin and Noor, who grew up as close as family until a huge fight tore their friendship apart. Now, Salahudin is trying to save his family's motel in the wake of his mother's illness and his father's grief while Noor secretly applies to college in an attempt to escape her brutal uncle. As the two face some of the hardest times in their lives, they must learn how to forgive so they can lean on each other once again. This book also won a National Book Award in the young people's literature category.

Best bio or memoir audiobook of 2022: "Constructing a Nervous System" by Margo Jefferson

"Constructing a Nervous System" by Margo Jefferson, available at Amazon and Libro, from $18.38

Margo Jefferson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose memoir, "Constructing a Nervous System," is a unique and original read that combines music, anecdotes, and other performance elements. The book includes the critical voice for which Jefferson is known and a cast of familial characters that bring her story to life.

Best celebrity memoir audiobook of 2022: "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy

"I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy, available at Amazon and Libro, from $12.24

From the former Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy, "I'm Glad My Mom Died" is a raw, real, and emotionally painful memoir of McCurdy's coming-of-age journey as a child actor with a mother whose dream was for her to become a star. In this memoir, McCurdy does not shy away from the hardest moments in her life, from dealing with an eating disorder to realizing the extent of her mother's abuse.

Best comedy podcast of 2022: "Funny My Way" by AYR Media, Team Coco

"Funny My Way" by AYR Media, Team Coco, available at Amazon, $7.95/month

"Funny My Way" is an Audible Original Podcast about six Black trailblazing comedy icons. With archival footage, commentary from guests, and in-depth histories, this podcast covers Black comedic legends like Paul Mooney and Moms Mabley, who was the first Black comedian to play Carnegie Hall.

Best debut audiobook of 2022: "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt, available at Amazon and Libro, from $18.74

"Remarkably Bright Creatures" is Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel and has captured readers and listeners everywhere with its charming story of friendship and hope. Tova Sullivan works the night shift at the aquarium, keeping herself busy to cope with losing her son, Erik, who disappeared on a boat 30 years ago. Now, Tova is slowly becoming friends with Marcellus, a giant octopus at the aquarium, who knows more than anyone could imagine — even, possibly, what happened to Tova's son.

Best fantasy audiobook of 2022: "Impact Winter" by Travis Beacham

"Impact Winter" by Travis Beacham, available at Amazon, $21.83

This full-cast fantasy audiobook was created just for Audible with immersive 3D audio that includes sound effects, music, and more to bring listeners into the story. "Impact Winter" is set seven years after a comet hit Earth and blotted out the sun, leaving survivors to form a resistance against the vampires that have emerged in this paranormal, post-apocalyptic listening experience.

Best fiction audiobook of 2022: "Our Missing Hearts" by Celeste Ng

"Our Missing Hearts" by Celeste Ng, available at Amazon and Libro, from $30.63

From the author of "Little Fires Everywhere," "Our Missing Hearts" is the story of Bird, a 12-year-old boy who lives with his father in a world where the government has set laws to preserve "American culture" including removing books from libraries that are viewed as "unpatriotic" and relocating children of dissents. Bird has grown up openly disavowing his mother, whose poems were removed from libraries, but when he receives a strange letter, Bird goes on a journey to find her and defy the injustices that have kept him and his family quiet for years.

Best history audiobook of 2022: "Summer of '85" by Chris Morrow

"Summer of '85" by Chris Morrow, available at Amazon, $21.83

Narrated by Kevin Hart, "Summer of '85" focuses on 1985 Philadelphia, when the city was marked by two vastly different events: The Mayor's decision to bomb the headquarters of a controversial communal organization and the Live Aid concert to raise money for those affected by the Ethiopian famine. This history listen connects the dots between these two events — one that supported Africa and one that destroyed an African-American community.

Best kids audiobook of 2022: "Attack of the Black Rectangles" by A.S. King

"Attack of the Black Rectangles" by A.S. King, available at Amazon and Libro, from $11.63

This realistic, middle-grade fiction read is about sixth-grader Mac, who is outraged to find that his copy of "The Devil's Arithmetic" has words blacked out. Determined to protest the censorship, Mac and his friends go to the principal's office but when they're met with more resistance, the student protest grows quickly.

Best mystery or thriller of 2022: "The Maid" by Nita Prose

"The Maid" by Nita Prose, available at Amazon and Libro, from $15.68

Chosen primarily because of the Audible editor's love of the main character, "The Maid" follows Molly Gray, who struggles to understand social cues but loves her work as a hotel maid. But when Molly discovers a wealthy man dead in his hotel bed, she becomes the police's prime suspect and needs the help of her friends to unmask the real killer before she's pegged for a crime she didn't commit.

Best nonfiction audiobook of 2022: "Inside Voice" by Lake Bell

"Inside Voice" by Lake Bell, available at Amazon and Libro, from $19.60

"Inside Voice" is a deep dive into why our voice matters as a piece of our identity, our stories, and our world. Born from the author's own fascination with voice, this book pulls elements of psychology, social science, cultural constructs, and interactive games for a fun and fascinating listen.

Best romance audiobook of 2022: "Book Lovers" by Emily Henry

"Book Lovers" by Emily Henry, available at Amazon and Libro, from $15.68

"Book Lovers" is a contemporary rom-com about Nora, a literary agent, who takes a trip with her sister to a story-like town in North Carolina to reconnect and get away from the city, even if it's to a cliché town like Sunshine Falls. Nora is ready to become the hero of her own love story until she runs into Charlie Lasta, a brooding book editor from the city with whom she has a quiet rivalry and way too many run-ins for even the most stereotypical romance novel. "Book Lovers" was one of our favorite beach reads this summer — check out our full review here.

Best sci-fi audiobook of 2022: Upgrade Soul" by Ezra Claytan Daniels

"Upgrade Soul" by Ezra Claytan Daniels, available at Amazon, $7.95/month

"Upgrade Soul" is an audio-drama adaptation of an award-winning graphic novel of the same name. Chosen for its masterful adaptation, the story follows Hank and Molly Nonnar who have decided to fund an experimental gene therapy that will increase lifespans and enhance intelligence with one catch: They want to be the first subjects.

Best Spanish language audiobook of 2022: "Orgullo prieto" [Dark-Skinned Pride] by Tenoch Huerta

"Orgullo prieto" [Dark-Skinned Pride] by Tenoch Huerta, available at Amazon and Libro, from $11.57

Narrated by the author in Spanish, "Orgullo prieto" is a series of reflections about different types of discrimination people face in Mexico, often ignored or brushed off as classism or not as bad as in the United States. Huerta draws from personal experience in this story of how racism affects social spheres, families, careers, and more.

Best theater audiobook of 2022: "Mrs. Wickham" by Sarah Page

"Mrs. Wickham" by Sarah Page, available at Amazon, $7.95

Perfect for fans of "Bridgerton," this audio drama focuses on "Pride and Prejudice's" Lydia, just as she's denounced from her family and married off to George Wickham. In this full-cast production, Lydia's character shines like never before as she defends her choices against those who judge her for every misstep.

Best true crime audiobook of 2022: “Finding Tamika” by Erika Alexander

"Finding Tamika" by Erika Alexander, available at Amazon, $26.21

24-year-old Tamika Huston went missing in 2004 and her case has become a rallying cry and example to those looking to expose the system that ignores missing girls and women of color. This true crime listen digs into Tamika's past, what may have happened to her, and how the justice system failed her.

Best well-being podcast of 2022: "Maejor Frequency" by Maejor

"Maejor Frequency" by Maejor, available at Amazon, $7.95/month

In this 11-episode podcast, Maejor has collaborated with musical celebrities to look at the "healing powers of intentional frequency." Chosen by Audible editors for its scientific insight, compelling narrative, and surprising guest stars, "Maejor Frequency" looks at how different types of sound can encourage wellness.

Best YA audiobook of 2022: "Daughter of the Moon Goddess" by Sue Lynn Tan

"Daughter of the Moon Goddess" by Sue Lynn Tan, available at Amazon and Libro, from $31.94

"Daughter of the Moon Goddess" is the story of Xingyin, who grew up in solitude on the moon, unaware she was being hidden from the Celestial Emperor by her mother, who stole his elixir of immortality. When Xingyin's presence becomes known, she must flee her home but sets out on a quest to save her mother in this epic, mythological tale inspired by the legend of the Chinese moon goddess.

Via PakApNews