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Our Favorite Audiobooks Narrated by Black Voices

Trevor Noah's award-winning memoir and a classic Walter Mosley crime novel are on our list of books we love to listen to.

Photo: Getty Images Olga Rolenko

Every month, we share our list of books by Black authors we canโ€™t wait to read. But if you just canโ€™t seem to find the time to read them, we forgive you and want to offer you a pretty damn good alternative.

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Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Whether youโ€™re cleaning house, working out or stuck in traffic, audiobooks are a great way to pass the time โ€“ and check out some of the titles on the bestseller list. And if the actor and writerโ€™s strikes keep going much longer, you might find yourself running out of options for entertainment.

If youโ€™re not sure where to start, check out a few of our favorite Black audiobooks read by Black narrators.

โ€œNightcrawlingโ€ - Written by Leila Mottley, Narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt

Photo: Amazon.com

Lelila Mottleyโ€™s โ€œNightcrawlingโ€ was an Oprahโ€™s Book Club pick. And the audio version, read by Joniece Abbott-Pratt, is the perfect way to bring this beautifully-written novel to life. The story is told from the perspective of Kiara, a teenager who is struggling to get by in East Oakland, CA after she and her brother have dropped out of high school. Without family, Kiara stumbles into nightcrawling to pay the bills.

โ€œGod-Level Knowledge Darts: Life Lessons From The Bronxโ€ - Written and Narrated by Desus & Mero

Photo: Amazon.com

โ€œGod-Level Knowledge Dartsโ€ is a hilarious guide to life from the Bodega Boys, Desus & Mero. This is one time weโ€™ll recommend the audiobook over the hardcover version. Youโ€™ll laugh out loud when you hear these guys explain how you talk to your kids about drugs when you do them.

โ€œGentleman of Jazz: A Life in Musicโ€ Written by Ramsey Lewis and Aaron Cohen, Narrated by Dion Graham

Photo: Amazon.com

โ€œGentleman of Jazzโ€ tells the story of acclaimed jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis. Narrated by actor Dion Graham, the audiobook shares Lewisโ€™ journey from a childhood in Chicagoโ€™s notorious Cabrini Green housing projects to becoming a GRAMMY award-winning musician with over 80 recorded albums to his name.

โ€œThe Hate U Giveโ€ - Written by Angie Thomas, Narrated by Bahni Turpin

Photo: Amazon.com

โ€œThe Hate U Giveโ€ is a bestselling YA novel and a frequent target of conservative book bans. This ripped from the headlines story follows a teenaged girl who witnesses the death of her unarmed childhood friend at the hands of police. If you havenโ€™t had a chance to dive into the novel, check out the audiobook version, read by acclaimed narrator Bahni Turpin.

If her voice leaves you wanting more (and weโ€™re sure it will), check out her narration of โ€œThe Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacksโ€ and James Baldwinโ€™s โ€œIf Beale Street Could Talk.โ€

โ€œBorn a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhoodโ€ Written and Narrated by Trevor Noah

Photo: Amazon.com

If youโ€™re suffering from Trevor Noah withdrawal, check out the audiobook version of โ€œBorn a Crime,โ€ the award-winning memoir from the comedian and former The Daily Show host. The audio version brings the story of his childhood in South Africa during a time when his parentโ€™s interracial relationship was considered a crime to life. Besides, who doesnโ€™t love listening to Trevorโ€™s voice?

โ€œShuri: A Black Panther Novel: Book 1" - Written by Nic Stone, Narrated by Anika Noni Rose

Photo: Amazon.com

If you loved actress Anika Noni Rose as the voice of Tiana in Disneyโ€™s โ€œThe Princess and the Frog,โ€ check out her narration of โ€œShuri: A Black Panther Novel,โ€ a middle grade novel written by bestselling author Nic Stone. The story follows Tโ€™Challaโ€™s little sister as she tries to find out whatโ€™s killing the plants the people of Wakanda need to survive.

โ€œDevil in a Blue Dressโ€ Written by Walter Mosley, Narrated by Michael Boatman

Photo: Amazon.com

Set in 1948 Los Angeles, โ€œDevil in a Blue Dressโ€ is one of renowned crime fiction writer Walter Mosleyโ€™s best and the inspiration for the 1995 film starring Denzel Washington. The story follows a Black war veteran whose financial prayers are answered when a white man offers to pay him to help find a missing white woman known to hang out in Black jazz clubs. The gripping audiobook version is narrated by Spin City and The Good Wife actor Michael Boatman.

โ€œThe Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haleyโ€ - Written by Malcolm X, Alex Haley, Narrated by Laurence Fishburne

Photo: Amazon.com

โ€œThe Autobiography of Malcolm Xโ€ is one of the most important books of our time, telling the story of his rise to become one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement. And while we can no longer hear his voice, award-winning actor Lawrence Fishburneโ€™s narration is the next best thing.

โ€œMy Vanishing Country: A Memoirโ€ - Written and Narrated by Bakari Sellers

Photo: Amazon.com

โ€œMy Vanishing Countryโ€ is more than former South Carolina State Representative Bakari Sellersโ€™ memoir, itโ€™s a classic commentary on race relations and social justice. Youโ€™ll be immediately drawn in hearing in the political analystโ€™s and attorneyโ€™s own words how being raised by legendary activists in a small South Carolina town shaped his perspective.

โ€œThe Mother of Black Hollywood: A Memoirโ€ - Written and Narrated by Jenifer Lewis

Photo: Amazon.com

In โ€œThe Mother of Black Hollywood,โ€ legendary actress Jenifer Lewis tells the story of her journey from growing up in the midwest to becoming a star on stage and screen. Lewis keeps it real in this amazing audiobook version, sharing deeply personal details of her struggles with mental illness and sex addiction in the voice we all know and love.

โ€œYou Canโ€™t Touch My Hair: And Other Things I Still Have to Explainโ€ - Written and Narrated by Phoebe Robinson

Photo: Amazon.com

โ€œYou Canโ€™t Touch My Hairโ€ is a seriously funny collection of essays from comedian and 2 Dope Queens podcaster Phoebe Robinson. Youโ€™ll love her hilarious take on being a Black woman in America, including having to explain to people why they absolutely cannot touch her hair.

โ€œI Am The New Blackโ€

Photo: Amazon.com

In โ€œI Am the New Black,โ€ comedian and actor Tracy Morgan breaks down his rise from the projects of Bed-Stuy Brooklyn to comedy fame. Although some of the details of his journey are pretty heavy, you wonโ€™t be able to stop laughing when you hear the story in his voice.

โ€œMeaty: Essaysโ€ - Written and Narrated by Samantha Irby

Photo: Amazon.com

If youโ€™re looking for a laugh, check out โ€œMeaty,โ€ a collection of essays from Samantha Irby. She holds nothing back, sharing details of everything from bad relationships to inflammatory bowel disease in a smart and hilariously raunchy voice.

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