There are some things in life that many of us will never know, unless the future turns out to be far stranger than any of us could have imagined: What is it like to be a Spice Girl? What is it like to be in the firing line? Or what is it like to have a crippling Toblerone addiction (emotionally discussed in I, Partridge: We Need to Talk About Alan. One of those is arguably more likely than the other, although that might depend on your ambition and willingness to 'Zig-a-Zig-ah'.
Therein lies the beauty of biography audiobooks. Packed full of untold stories and juicy insights, these listens give exclusive access into worlds far from our own, shining a light on what it was like to be married to the President of the United States of America or to create a sports brand that transcends, well, sports brands. And with many audiobooks being narrated by the authors themselves, you might find yourself privy to an intimate one-to-one discussion with the brains behind the bestseller, catching up like old colleagues over coffee, tea or something a little more exotic, as they regale you with wild stories of a life most magnificent, of thrilling tales of a journey to true self-acceptance. Either that or the aforementioned Toblerone addiction, of course.
Here we’ve picked out 10 of the best sellers to keep your ears and imaginations occupied.
Listen as the former First Lady herself talks us through her journey to the White House alongside '44' himself, Barack Obama. Hear in her own words how she, a high-achieving, fiercely independent and accomplished woman, steadily defied expectations in a life marked with celebration and criticism from every corner. Her time in the White House might turn the most heads, but it is Obama's warts and all telling of growing up as an African American in '70s Chicago that arguably grabs the attention most. This is an audiobook as intimate as it is inspiring, the story of how Michelle LaVaughn Robinson grew up to become Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States of America.
This isn't for the faint of heart, but who would expect that from the life of a former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces Sergeant? This is an audiobook that talks about the struggles of battle and the courage needed to overcome them. Listen as Jason Fox talks through his career as an elite operator in the SAS as well as some of his toughest moments both on and off the battlefield, diving deep into tension-filled special missions and the difficulties (an understatement) of adjusting to life afterwards. Fox is unflinching in his honesty throughout, from the testosterone-fuelled thrill of the fight to the fragility of a fight for wellness after the fact. Most memoir audiobooks open up a window to the life of the author, but Battle Scars has the power to do so for a legion of listeners.
As the name suggests, Mel B’s memoir audiobook, Brutally Honest, is a tell-all account of this Spice Girl’s toughest moments. Listen as she and those closest to her talk openly about drugs, mental health and, of course, her love life. It is easy to forget just how big the Spice Girls were at the peak of their powers and how intense the scrutiny that came with that was, but Brown pulls no punches in telling the world just what that does to an individual. A true tale of highs and lows that focuses more on the times than the tunes.
Lily Allen is just about as candid and honest as megastars get, so it is no great surprise that this audiobook is no different. Listen as she talks openly about the troubles she faced growing up and the demons that have followed her into later life, a story told with brutal candour about the rigours of life as a celebrity. Many young people dream of such a life, but Allen's honesty shows that it might not be the promised land that some believe it to be. This audiobook is about more than the trials and tribulations of Lily Allen; this is about feminism, motherhood, festivals, bad managers, parking tickets and plenty more. Allen isn't your standard pop star, and this isn't your standard biography audiobook.
Trevor Noah's memoir is inspiring, compelling and comical, all at the same time. This audiobook sees Trevor Noah talk through 18 personal stories, detailing growing up as a mixed-race child in Apartheid-era South Africa (when interacial relationships were illegal) and all the injustices and tumult that came with it, along with the beliefs and characteristics it instilled in the young Noah. This story of a young man growing up in Soweto and eventually making it to the bright lights of New York City will inspire as many laughs as it does tears. Noah is a fantastic narrator, with the sort of voice that will jump out of your headphones (or speakers, depending on your preference) and wrap you up in real-life stories that may show a different side to this modern funny man.
AHA! Hear, in his own words the life story of one of the nation’s favourite radio presenters. An honest and revealing memoir, albeit in that inimitable (but oh so imitated) Partridge style, this audiobook is every bit as funny as I’m Alan Partridge and Knowing Me, Knowing You, which is no small feat, to say the least. One of the most celebrated comical characters of the late 20th century, this will leave you wondering just why Steve Coogan doesn't narrate every single audiobook in character as Partridge, something that would undoubtedly add a new dimension to all stories. As it is, listening to the man himself talk candidly about Norwich's most respected radio presenter is a laugh-out-loud triumph.
When aliens eventually make their way to Earth, it wouldn't be a great shock to see them wearing a pair of Nike trainers or some form of merchandise that proudly shows off the famous Swoosh, such is the ubiquity of Phil Knight's most famous creation. How did Nike grow from a car-boot business into one of the most recognisable corporations on the planet? Norbert Leo Butz does a great job of telling the story, while Knight himself provides a compelling introduction. Despite the ubiquity of the world's most famous swoosh, the story of Nike remains relatively unknown and features a cavalcade of the biggest names in modern entertainment, from Michael Jordan to Kylian Mbappe. A must-listen for everyone, no matter your preferred brand of sports shoe.
He is known for being one of the biggest comedians in the world, but he didn’t get there through talent alone. In this open and honest audiobook, Hart throws plenty of wisdom around without skimping on the jokes, making for a laugh-out-loud listen that offers heaps of advice and inspiration in the process. Hart is a fantastic speaker and his frequent pop-ups throughout this audiobook are a thing to behold, but there is plenty more to this than the celebrity antics of an internationally acclaimed comedian. Hart may well be at his best when he is at his most earnest, aiming straight for the heart and mind of the listener, as opposed to the funny bone. Get you a man who can do both, as the old saying goes.
An entire generation spent countless hours watching Peep Show and That Mitchell and Webb Look, but Robert Webb has somehow managed to retain an element of privacy in the eye of the storm that is fame. His comic partnership with David Mitchell is well known, but less so is the story of his upbringing. In this coming-of-age audiobook, Webb explores everything from childhood crushes to the often-crushing expectations that are placed on the shoulders of boys from a young age. Webb also proves to be an excellent narrator, intricately funny without ever losing sight of the heartfelt, never failing to get his message across even when this audiobook is at its funniest. It is no great surprise that one half of a beloved comedy duo has produced a delectably funny audiobook, but did anyone expect it to be this fragile, this impactful? Doubt Webb at your peril.
The Lake District is a quite marvellous part of the world, but living life in those beautiful surroundings isn't always the joyful experience that you might assume. A wonderfully detailed and candid audiobook, poignantly brought to life by Bryan Dick, The Shepherd's Life is exactly what it says on the tin, namely a peek into the life of James Rebanks, a sheep farmer in that gorgeous region. Beauty doesn't come without the blood, sweat and tears of those tasked with shaping it, and Rebanks is more than willing to go into great detail on that front. That isn't to say it is all about struggle, of course, as plenty of light shines through this audiobook - a gorgeous listen that comes together to produce one great love letter to one of England's most magnificent areas.
Discover the rest of our biographies and memoirs.
