(Hands busy, brain happy)
I have a goal of reading over 50 books this year. But I also have a goal of making something every day of the year. When my eyes and hands are occupied by some craft, my ability to read dramatically decreases. Enter audiobooks… the way to get your reading in while crafting at the same time.
Crocheting, knitting, sewing… whatever your craft of choice, often lives in that sweet spot between focused and repetitive. Your hands are occupied, but your brain has room to wander. That’s exactly why audiobooks pair so well with making.
Over the years I’ve worked through entire projects fueled by story arcs, plot twists, and the occasional existential character crisis. And I remember exactly what I was listening to when I was making certain projects. Unlike TV, audiobooks don’t pull your eyes away from your work, and unlike podcasts (at least for me), they can sustain attention across multi-session projects. Plus, you get to check off your reading goals while you craft. Hobby stacking for the win!
This list pulls together some of my favorite standout audiobooks that work especially well during crafting sessions… immersive enough without requiring visual focus and engaging without demanding constant rewinds.
I highly recommend you use the Libby app or check out your local library for audiobooks. Links below may be affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Let’s start with the highlights. And don’t forget to see more of my reviews on the blog.
Callie’s quick picks: Best audiobooks to listen to when crafting
Best overall
Project Hail Mary — Andy Weir
Unfortunately, this is an Audible-only audiobook, but it is SO worth it. This is one of my favorite books of ALL TIME in any category, but it absolutely holds the spot for best audiobook. If you have listened to this book, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Ryland’s character is so lovingly represented and our beloved Rocky is perfect in every way. Amaze! Amaze! PHM balances tension, humor, and narration energy that keeps crafting sessions lively. And, if you’ve seen the movie, tell me your thoughts in the comments! I personally LOVED how they were able to make this story come to life in 2.5 hours.
Best “wtf just happened” book
Dark Matter — Blake Crouch
This book had my heart pumping and my mind completely blown. I don’t think I listened to or watched anything else for days. This one is fast-paced, concept-driven storytelling that keeps your mind engaged during the entire book. Ideal when you want to lock in and shut out the world. But beware… your brain might explode. I still need to watch the show to see how it compares to the book.
Best reflective listen
The Midnight Library — Matt Haig
This one is a little controversial, but it really made me think. If I could go back and make a different choice, knowing the outcome of my life would be wildly different… would I?
Best tech-culture story
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow — Gabrielle Zevin
Oof, this one still breaks my heart in the best way. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this one, only that it had garnered such acclaim. I’m not a gamer, but this book still resonated with me… How does time change people and how do those people change with success (in whatever that means to them?) Have tissues nearby…
Best laugh-out-loud and feel all the feels
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine — Gail Honeyman
I vividly remember starting this one on a walk and the opening scene had me rolling. I LOVED this book. I still love Eleanor like an old friend, and I haven’t found a book yet that has me as emotionally invested in a character than this one. Definitely recommend if you want something lighter, heartfelt, and funny.
Best social drama
The Wedding People — Alison Espach
Ok, this one surprised me. I went into it thinking it was a romance novel which is my least favorite genre by far. Every once in a while, I want a palette cleanser, so I listened to The Wedding People after a really heavy read. Turns out, this wasn’t really a romance at all, but a quirky, sweet, book with a good amount of drama, but really lovable characters. Give this one a shot if you want something a little lighter, but definitely not cliche.
Best non-human character
Remarkably Bright Creatures — Shelby Van Pelt
Oh Marcellus, you smart, funny, caring, curmudgeon of an octopus. I loved this book so much and it has stuck with me for years. Don’t let the concept of an octopus as a narrator. I promise you, it is perfectly done.
Best music-driven narrative
Daisy Jones & The Six — Taylor Jenkins Reid
This was my first Taylor Jenkins Reid book, and I originally read this as a physical book. I immediately fell in love with the interview-structure and FLEW through this book. Now imagine a rock and roll documentary on audio, and you’re fully immersed in a fictional band from the 70s with all of the drama, ups, downs, and sideways.
Best historical fiction
The Frozen River — Ariel Lawhon
Historical fiction is one of my all-time favorite genres and this one took me by total surprise being so absolutely perfect in every way. Martha Ballard, the main character, is based on a real woman who kept a log of every day. Not a diary, but statements of the day. The author used this log to craft a story of intrigue, murder, mystery, and all around badassery. Don’t let the cover fool you that this is going to be some light boring thing. This book packs a punch.
Best sci-fi (that’s not PHM)
All Systems Red — Martha Wells
This book is good for two reasons. 1. It is short! You should be able to finish this one in less than 3 hours, and that’s if you listen at 1x speed. 2. If you’re missing Project Hail Mary and Ray Porter’s expert narration, Kevin R. Free feels really similar. This book is interesting, funny, and very easy to get into. And there are a TON in the series, so you can keep rocking right after the first one.
Best epistolary narrative
The Correspondent — Virginia Evans
This is one of those books that has to be done on audio. The main character, Sybil, is an absolute delight, and with the audiobook, you get to hear all of her and the correspondence to and from others. It’s a wonderful book.
Best full-cast audio
The Favorites — Layne Fargo
As a former competitive figure skater, I may be biased toward this book. But it is SO good. If you loved the Olympics and want some behind-the-scenes drama on what competitive skating kind of is really like… highly recommend. Also, if you’re a skating fan, Johnny Weir narrates one of the characters in this book and it was so fun to hear him get into the character.
Why audiobooks work so well for crafters
They support flow state
Repetitive hand motion pairs naturally with narrative listening.
They extend creative stamina
Engaging stories reduce mental fatigue during large projects.
They enhance emotional association
Projects become linked to story memories, something many makers experience.
How to choose audiobooks for craft time
Ideal characteristics
- Strong narration
- Linear storytelling
- Moderate character complexity
- Emotional or atmospheric immersion
Harder to follow while crafting
- Dense academic content
- Heavy multi-timeline narratives
- Highly technical nonfiction
FAQ
Narrative fiction, character-driven stories, and episodic nonfiction tend to work best because they allow attention to shift between listening and making.
It depends on the project. Repetitive stitching often pairs well with faster pacing, while complex pattern work may benefit from calmer narration.
Yes. Shorter or episodic titles help build comfort multitasking before committing to longer narratives.
Many makers report increased concentration and session length when listening to engaging content during repetitive work.
Final thoughts
Audiobooks aren’t just background noise. Use lo-fi beats if you just want to not sit in silence. But audiobooks become part of the creative experience. Certain projects become inseparable from the stories heard while making them.
Happy listening, and happy crafting! Let me know which ones I missed in the comments!
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