Best Contemporary Women Audiobooks 2023

 As audiobooks continue to grow in popularity, it's important to have a solid understanding of the best contemporary women audiobooks available today. From memoirs to fiction, the options for women-centered audiobooks are endless.

Memoirs by Contemporary Women

One of the most popular genres for contemporary women is memoirs. These books offer an intimate look into the lives of some of the most interesting and successful women of our time.

Best of the best contemporary women memoir audiobooks :

Becoming by Michelle Obama

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"Becoming" is a memoir written by Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States. The book was published in 2018 and became an instant bestseller, selling over 10 million copies. In "Becoming," Michelle Obama reflects on her life, from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her time in the White House as First Lady. The book covers a range of topics, including her marriage to Barack Obama, her experiences as a working mother, and her advocacy work on issues such as education and nutrition. "Becoming" received widespread critical acclaim and is considered one of the most popular and influential memoirs of recent times.

Educated by Tara Westover

   

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"Educated" is a memoir written by Tara Westover, published in 2018. The book recounts Westover's journey from a strict and abusive childhood in rural Idaho, where she was raised by survivalist Mormon parents, to obtaining a PhD from Cambridge University. The book explores themes of abuse, education, and self-discovery, and provides an intimate look at the struggles Westover faced in breaking away from her family and their beliefs to pursue her own path in life. "Educated" received widespread praise for its raw and powerful storytelling, and has been described as a moving and inspiring account of one woman's journey to claim her own education and independence. The book was a New York Times bestseller and has been widely read and discussed.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

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"Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" is a memoir by Cheryl Strayed, published in 2012. The book recounts Strayed's journey as she hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile trail from California to Washington, alone and with little prior experience. The hike was a physical and emotional journey for Strayed, who was dealing with the loss of her mother, a failed marriage, and other personal challenges. Through her journey, she reflects on her past experiences and learns to find inner strength and resilience. "Wild" has been widely acclaimed for its inspiring and moving narrative, and has been described as a must-read for anyone looking to overcome personal obstacles and find their own path in life. The book was a New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into a feature film of the same name, released in 2014.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

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"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a memoir written by Maya Angelou, published in 1969. The book is the first in a series of six autobiographies by Angelou and covers her childhood and early adult years, including her experiences growing up as a black girl in the rural South and in San Francisco, California. The title of the book is inspired by a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar and reflects Angelou's themes of oppression, resilience, and the struggle for freedom and self-expression. The book is widely considered a classic of African American literature and is often studied in schools and universities. "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" is a powerful and inspiring account of one woman's journey to find her own voice and overcome the obstacles she faced in her life.

Contemporary Women's Fiction

For those who love fiction, there are plenty of contemporary women's books to choose from. From romance to mystery, these books offer something for everyone.

Best contemporary women's fiction audiobooks:

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

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"Where the Crawdads Sing" is a novel by Delia Owens, published in 2018. The book is a mystery-crime fiction-coming-of-age story that takes place in the 1950s and 60s in North Carolina. The main character is Kya Clark, a young girl who grows up in the marshlands near a small town. She is often referred to as the "Marsh Girl" by the townspeople and is shunned because of her upbringing and background. The book revolves around the murder of a local man, and the investigation that follows, with Kya at the center of the story. The novel combines elements of crime, love, and coming-of-age stories and has been widely praised for its vivid and lyrical writing, compelling characters, and engaging plot. "Where the Crawdads Sing" was a New York Times bestseller and has been popular with readers of various genres.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

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"The Silent Patient" is a psychological thriller novel written by Alex Michaelides, published in 2019. The book is about a famous painter named Alicia Berenson, who is convicted of killing her husband, Gabriel. She refuses to speak or provide any explanation for her actions, and is deemed the "silent patient." The story follows the journey of a criminal psychotherapist named Theo Faber, who is tasked with treating Alicia and uncovering the truth behind her crime. The novel is a fast-paced and suspenseful thriller that keeps the reader engaged until the very end. "The Silent Patient" has received widespread critical acclaim for its well-crafted plot, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes. The book has been widely popular with fans of psychological thrillers and has been compared to works by authors like Gillian Flynn and Paula Hawkins.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

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"The Nightingale" is a historical fiction novel written by Kristin Hannah, published in 2015. The book is set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II and tells the story of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, who take vastly different paths in their fight against the occupying German forces. Vianne is a wife and mother who must keep her family safe in a small village, while Isabelle joins the resistance and becomes a courier for the Allies, risking her life to help others. The book explores themes of bravery, sisterhood, love, and sacrifice and provides a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people during one of the darkest periods in modern history. "The Nightingale" has received widespread praise for its compelling narrative, well-drawn characters, and powerful themes, and has been described as a must-read for fans of historical fiction. The book was a New York Times bestseller and has been widely read and discussed.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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The Vanishing Half is a novel written by Brit Bennett, published in 2020. The book follows the lives of twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, who grow up in a small, southern black community and take vastly different paths in life. The story spans several decades and explores themes of race, identity, family, and love. Bennett writes with sensitivity and insight about the experiences of black women and their search for belonging and self-acceptance. The novel has been widely acclaimed for its well-crafted characters, thought-provoking themes, and lyrical prose. "The Vanishing Half" was a New York Times bestseller and was named as a best book of the year by various publications, including The New York Times, Time, and The Washington Post. The book has been widely discussed and celebrated for its contribution to the literary landscape.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

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Little Fires Everywhere is a novel by Celeste Ng, published in 2017. The book is set in the 1990s in the suburban town of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and revolves around the intertwined lives of two families, the Richardsons and the Warrens. The story begins with a mysterious house fire and explores themes of motherhood, class, race, and identity. The book has been praised for its well-drawn characters, insightful commentary on the complexities of family relationships, and its exploration of the tensions and prejudices that exist in a seemingly perfect community. "Little Fires Everywhere" was a New York Times bestseller and has received widespread critical acclaim. The book has been adapted into a television miniseries by Hulu, which was released in 2020. The miniseries has also received praise for its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of the themes and characters from the book.

Contemporay Women's Thrillers

For those who love a good thriller, there are plenty of contemporary women's books that will keep you on the edge of your seat. From psychological thrillers to suspenseful crime novels, these books offer plenty of twists and turns to keep you entertained.

Best contemporary women's thriller audiobooks :

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

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Gone Girl is a psychological thriller novel written by Gillian Flynn, published in 2012. The book follows the story of a man named Nick Dunne, whose wife Amy goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. The disappearance quickly becomes a media circus as Nick becomes the main suspect in her disappearance, and the truth about their relationship and marriage is slowly uncovered. The novel is a dark and twisty exploration of the themes of marriage, trust, and media obsession, and was well-received by readers and critics alike. It was later adapted into a successful film directed by David Fincher in 2014.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

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The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller novel written by Paula Hawkins, published in 2015. The book is narrated by Rachel, a divorcee who takes the train every day and becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect couple she sees from the window. However, when the woman in the couple goes missing, Rachel finds herself drawn into the investigation and begins to uncover dark secrets about the people she thought she knew. The novel is a gripping and suspenseful exploration of themes such as obsession, memory, and the danger of projection, and became a bestseller upon its release. It was later adapted into a film in 2016.

The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen

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The Wife Between Us is a psychological thriller novel written by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, published in 2018. The novel tells the story of a young woman named Nellie who is getting ready to marry the man she loves, but is stopped in her tracks by his ex-wife, Vanessa. The two women share a complex and intertwined past, and as Nellie delves deeper into their relationship, she begins to uncover a web of deceit and manipulation. The novel is a twisty and suspenseful exploration of themes such as love, trust, and the dangers of obsession, and was well-received by readers and critics. It was also a bestseller.

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

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Into the Water is a psychological thriller novel written by Paula Hawkins, published in 2017. The book is set in a small English town and follows the story of a community haunted by the drowning of women in the local river, known as the Drowning Pool. The novel weaves together multiple narratives and perspectives to reveal the dark secrets and hidden motives of the town's residents, as the past and present collide. The themes of the book include memory, grief, motherhood, and the power of the truth. "Into the Water" is a suspenseful and atmospheric novel that builds towards a shocking conclusion.

Contemporary Women's Romance

For those who love a good romance, there are plenty of contemporary women's books that will leave you swooning. From steamy romance novels to heartwarming love stories, these books will make you fall in love all over again.

Best contemporary women's romance audiobooks :

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

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The Kiss Quotient is a romantic comedy novel written by Helen Hoang, published in 2018. The book is a contemporary romance that follows the story of Stella Lane, a successful and talented economist who is struggling with autism spectrum disorder. In an effort to improve her dating and relationship skills, Stella hires a male escort named Michael Phan to teach her about physical intimacy. However, as the lessons progress, their relationship becomes more complex and the two of them find themselves falling for each other. "The Kiss Quotient" is a heartwarming and funny exploration of love, sexuality, and self-discovery, and was well-received by readers and critics. It is the first book in the "Stella Lane" series.

The Hating Game by Sally Thorne

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The Hating Game is a romantic comedy novel written by Sally Thorne, published in 2016. The book is a contemporary romance that follows the story of Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman, two co-workers in a publishing company who have a fierce and intense rivalry. As their relationship evolves, the two find themselves increasingly drawn to each other and must navigate the ups and downs of a workplace romance. "The Hating Game" is a witty and charming exploration of office politics, personal growth, and the power of love, and was well-received by readers and critics. It has been described as a "must-read" for fans of the romantic comedy genre.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

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The Rosie Project is a romantic comedy novel written by Graeme Simsion, published in 2013. The book follows the story of Don Tillman, a socially awkward genetics professor who decides to find a wife using a scientifically designed questionnaire. When he meets Rosie, a free-spirited and unpredictable woman who doesn't fit his criteria, Don finds himself drawn to her and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and growth. "The Rosie Project" is a charming and funny exploration of love, relationships, and the importance of embracing one's individuality. It was well-received by readers and critics, and has been described as a "feel-good" and "quirky" novel. It is the first book in the "Rosie Project" series.

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

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An American Marriage is a novel written by Tayari Jones, published in 2018. The book is a emotionally charged exploration of love, race, and the American justice system. The story follows newlyweds Celestial and Roy, who are torn apart when Roy is falsely convicted of a crime and sent to prison. The novel is told from multiple perspectives, including that of Celestial and Roy, as they navigate their changing lives and the impact of the injustice on their relationship. "An American Marriage" is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which systemic racism affects the lives of individuals and the complexities of love in the face of adversity. It was well-received by readers and critics and was named a top pick by Oprah's Book Club in 2018.

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

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The Wedding Date is a contemporary romance novel written by Jasmine Guillory, published in 2018. The book follows the story of Alexa Monroe, a successful and independent chief of staff, who hires a charming and handsome male escort named Drew Nicholls to accompany her to a family wedding. As the two spend time together, they find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other and must navigate the challenges of a relationship built on a foundation of convenience. "The Wedding Date" is a charming and romantic exploration of love, friendship, and the importance of taking chances. It was well-received by readers and critics, and is the first book in the "Bridal series" by Jasmine Guillory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is a wealth of amazing contemporary women audiobooks to choose from. From memoirs to fiction, thrillers to romance, there is something for everyone. Whether you're looking for an intimate look into the lives of some of the most interesting and successful women of our time or a thrilling mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat, the best contemporary women audiobooks have got you covered.