3 Books to Enjoy This Summer – Even Better as Audiobooks

Summer is the perfect time to slow down, soak up some sun, and dive into a good story. Whether you’re driving to the beach, taking long evening walks, or just relaxing at home, audiobooks can make this experience even richer.

This summer, I’m recommending three unforgettable reads that I believe are best enjoyed by listening to the authors themselves. You can find them on Spotify Premium, where the personal, spoken delivery brings the stories to life in a uniquely powerful way.

1. Matriarch: (Oprah’s Book Club 2.0) A Memoir by Tina Knowles.
   This memoir is an honest, tender, and often fierce reflection on motherhood, identity, and the powerful bond between generations of women. Listening to the author narrate her own story makes it feel incredibly intimate, like a personal conversation, full of pauses, emotion, and lived-in truths that might not come through quite the same way on the page. Herstory is here, and we’re all here for it. It’s one of those books you can’t stop listening to. You might cry (you know I did) and laugh, but most of all, this one will make you think. Such a great story and a superb storyteller.

2. The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir by Kelly Bishop.
   In this memoir, humor and heartbreak intertwine in a woman's life, navigating the expectations placed upon her by family, society, and herself. The audiobook format adds a vibrant layer to the experience. Bishop’s voice is one of a kind, and to hear her tell her story is such a wonderful experience. Hearing the dialogue and inner monologue in the author’s voice gives it depth and warmth, making you feel like you know her personally. Whether you’re a fan of the show, Gilmore Girls, or not, you’ll love this one. P.S. You should definitely be a fan of the show.

3. Something Lost, Something Gained. Reflections on Life, Love, and Liberty by Hillary Rodham Clinton.
   This story beautifully explores the themes of memory, love, and rediscovery. I have learned so much by listening to this book, and I’ll be forever grateful to the author for sharing so much of her personal and professional life. Her family, her friendships, her motherhood journey, she doesn’t hold back, and it’s such a pleasure to keep listening. It was published in 2024, but the audiobook version has some updated chapters from 2025 that you don’t want to miss.

Why Listen Instead of Read?
Don’t get me wrong, I get it. Reading is better. If the book is printed, it’s even better, right? However, while reading a book is always a joy, hearing an author tell their story adds a whole new dimension. The tone, pacing, and emotion come through more vividly, making the experience more personal and immersive. If you haven’t tried audiobooks yet, these three are the perfect place to start - or any memoir. I’ve been trying to listen to Matthew Perry’s Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing (2022), but it’s still too painful for a hardcore fan of Friends like me to listen to his voice, but I’m sure it’s incredible.

So this summer, plug in your headphones, press play, and let these voices carry you away.