Which audiobooks can you finish during spring cleaning?

by Bob the Drag Queen

Imagine if we lived in a world where some of the most heroic and iconic people from history have magically returned to the land of the living, and Harriet Tubman came back wanting to create a hip-hop album and live show about her life to shake the world up. 

In this novel, Harriet comes back and asks a producer named Darnell to help her write her legendary album. The story takes place over a short period of their conversations together, which are funny, emotional, and thought provoking. 

The audiobook is read by the author, and it includes two new songs written just for the audiobook! 

by Martha Wells

If I were to ask a room full of people what their favorite series is to listen to on audiobook, the odds are pretty good that at least one person is going to emphatically bring up The Murderbot Diaries. I even know people who don’t consider themselves big audiobook readers who will only read this series through the audiobook—the narrator Kevin R. Free is that good. 

This science fiction adventure novella features a deadly security droid that has broken free of its restrictive programming and can finally start making decisions. The droid, who refers to itself as “Murderbot,” finds itself somewhere between curiosity for self-discovery and a simmering desire to kill humans. This fan-favorite series provides compelling action with humor while tackling questions of ethics related to sentient robots.

This first in the series is short enough to get through a quick cleaning session, but there are also enough books in the series that you’ll have plenty to keep you going if you decide to tackle some extra chores. And if you’ve already discovered this series and want to try something new, check out the Graphic Audio version, which is a dramatized adaptation with an immersive full-cast performance.

by Patric Richardson

If you prefer practical tips and inspiration over escapism while you dive into spring cleaning, we’ve got you covered! 

Patric Richardson is known as “The Laundry Evangelist,” but his passion for chores will help you tackle every inch of your home. With a simple philosophy that tidying up is a privilege and that everyday tasks to maintain our homes can and should be infused with joy, House Love is a cheery and thoughtful guide with design inspiration, DIY projects, and plenty of cleaning tips. Richardson’s joy is contagious, and his book includes fun stories, humor and warmth, and even playlists, recipes, and step-by-step instructions to give you everything you need on your journey to clean with gratitude and love.

by Ali Wong

Why choose between being productive with your spring cleaning and enjoying some comedy?  

Ali Wong is an Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress, start of the TV series Beef, and a two-time member of Time’s “100 Most Influential People of the Year” list. Her essays share the wisdom she’s learned from a life in comedy and range from her rebellious teen years and dating in New York to motherhood and marriage. Though addressed to her daughters, these hilarious and heartfelt essays have something for everybody. And the best part—Wong narrates the audiobook herself, performing the essays much like her stand-up comedy with her signature honesty and intimacy. What chore isn’t made more fun with Ali Wong’s voice in your ear?

by Rufi Thorpe

The new trailer for the TV adaptation of Margo’s Got Money Troubles looks delightful, but what reader doesn’t love the chance to say, “The book was better!”? Decide for yourself before the show releases in April. 

This heartwarming novel about a young mom navigating life and making a living for herself and her son by experimenting on OnlyFans is both thoughtful and hilarious. Margo is a truly captivating character, and it’s a blast to spend a few hours in her world.

The audiobook is narrated by Elle Fanning, who flawlessly brings the fun and quirky Margo to life. Which is great news, because she’s also playing Margo in the TV show! 

by Amy Tintera

Lucy and Savvy were best friends and “It girls” in their small Texas town. One night Lucy is found wandering the streets covered in Savvy’s blood, and suddenly everyone thinks she’s a murderer. The trouble is, Lucy can’t remember what happened, so she can’t really dispute the claim or dispel the rumors. Lucy moves out to LA to start a new life, and even though years have passed, the story remains popular. The massive hit true crime podcast “Listen for the Lie” and its host Ben Owens have decided to center the show’s second season around an investigation of Savvy’s murder. Lucy finds herself drawn into Ben’s world, and back to the life she left behind, to find the truth. 

This 2025 Audie Award winner for Best Mystery is funny and twisty, and the audiobook production simulates a podcast to excellent effect. You’ll really feel like you're listening to your favorite true crime podcast, and you may even get so caught up in the thrills you’ll forget that you’re cleaning!

by Tananarive Due

If you’re really going all in on your spring cleaning, you’ll need a book to hold your focus and keep that momentum going. 

The Reformatory is a gripping story set in Jim Crow Florida in 1950 that follows 12-year old Robbie Stephens, Jr., who is sentenced to six months at the Gracetown School for Boys for kicking the son of a wealthy landowner to defend his sister, Gloria. Robbie has an ability to see ghosts, or haints, but while this used to be a source of comfort after the loss of his mother, it has become a window that reveals the horrors of the reformatory. While Robbie learns the rules for survival at the reformatory, Gloria works tirelessly to find a way to get Robbie out before it’s too late. 

While this haunting historical fiction novel is dark and heartbreaking, it’s not without hope, and readers will be riveted from start to finish.  

by Scott Lynch

There’s nothing like an epic fantasy to make you forget you’re doing everyday household chores. And on top of that, who doesn’t love a heist? 

The Lies of Locke Lamora is the first in the Gentleman Bastard Sequence about a young orphan named Locke who dodges the dangers of the island city of Camorr to become a thief and con artist. Locke becomes the leader of a band of pickpocketing brothers known as the Gentlemen Bastards, and soon Locke is infamous in the city’s underworld. 

Perfect for fans of A Game of Thrones or Six of Crows, this page-turner is full of charming characters, rich world building, and exciting capers to pass the hours. Narrator Michael Page is also sure to keep you entertained, switching between a variety of characters with ease and distinctive voices that sound more like a full cast than a single narrator.