The Best Non-Fiction Audiobooks That Had People Talking in 2022


December 15, 2022
Get ready to immerse yourself in some gripping true stories. These are the best non-fiction audiobooks of 2022 on Audible right now.

For audiobook lovers, nothing compares to the feeling of finding a new story you can't pause. Whether you are a fan of gripping true crime, moving memoirs, inspiring activism, historical deep dives, or anything in between, you can find it all here on Audible. We've compiled an incredible list of the best non-fiction audiobooks of 2022 from some of today's most talented writers. From the most anticipated memoirs of the year to eye-opening examinations of the state of the world, this list has everything you could want from the world of non-fiction. Sit back and discover what audiobooks have critics raving with these 24 moving, eye-opening listens.
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  • Sidney Crosby cover art

    • Sidney Crosby

    • The Rookie Year
    • Written by: Sidney Crosby
    • Narrated by: Sidney Crosby, Joe Manganiello
    • Length: 4 hrs and 7 mins
    • Release date: 2022-03-02
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 2,362 ratings
    • Canadian Sidney Crosby is one of the greatest NHL players of all time, and now he is ready to tell his story in his own words in this captivating memoir. Sidney Crosby: The Rookie Year takes listeners back to Sidney’s tumultuous first professional league year with the Pittsburgh Penguins. At only 18 years old, Sidney’s fascinating story began to unfold under intense pressure to live up to being “the next Gretzky.” Little did he know that what would transpire after his rookie year would be the stuff of legends. With the help of those who know him best and played alongside him, Sidney Crosby’s story gives listeners an unprecedented look into one of the most successful careers in NHL history. Actor Joe Manganiello, a lifelong fan of the Penguins, expertly and passionately narrates this audiobook as only a fan could.
  • Songs That Shook the Planet cover art

    • Songs That Shook the Planet

    • Words + Music, Vol. 26
    • Written by: Chuck D
    • Narrated by: Chuck D
    • Series: Words + Music
    • Length: 1 hr and 44 mins
    • Release date: 2022-02-03
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 136 ratings
    • Songs That Shook the Planet is a mesmerizing Audible Original and amalgamation of music history and memoir from legendary hip-hop trailblazer Chuck D. Listeners will get a behind-the-scenes look at the true stories behind some of the most celebrated and revolutionary tracks in pop culture history and listen to the songs themselves. This stirring audiobook is not only a reintroduction to the unforgettable sounds from legendary artists like Billie Holiday and Marvin Gaye but a riveting examination of the cost and dangers of speaking the truth through song and how they shaped the life and career of Chuck D. Timely and eye-opening, this is one audiobook that will revolutionize the way listeners relate to their favourite artists and tracks.
  • Bittersweet cover art

    • Bittersweet

    • How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole
    • Written by: Susan Cain
    • Narrated by: Susan Cain
    • Length: 7 hrs and 35 mins
    • Release date: 2022-04-05
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 166 ratings
    • Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole is the new triumph from bestselling writer Susan Cain. Bittersweet is an eye-opening and motivational examination of the human condition and the propensity of some to find inspiration and comfort in the bittersweet aspects of life. In her groundbreaking best seller, Quiet, Susan Cain movingly urged society to make space for the introverts among us. Bittersweet utilizes that same research and storytelling to uncover the reasons behind sadness and longing and how they might be the key to cultivating creativity and connection. Her captivating insights into the power of embracing the bittersweetness of life make this one audiobook worth adding to any self-development playlist.
  • The Nineties cover art

    • The Nineties

    • A Book
    • Written by: Chuck Klosterman
    • Narrated by: Chuck Klosterman, Dion Graham
    • Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
    • Release date: 2022-02-08
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 152 ratings
    • An instant New York Times best seller, The Nineties, written by Chuck Klosterman, is a fascinating trip down memory lane. The nineties were arguably one of the most influential decades in American history. With his signature humour and wit, Chuck Klosterman examines it all with a flourish that will leave listeners reeling with nostalgia and wonder. The nineties had everything from the rise of the internet, pop culture phenomenons, political bombshells, and sexual, racial, and societal shifts that would change American society forever. This audiobook is a magnificent observation of a time in American culture that we will never see again. It leaves listeners spellbound as they reflect on how things have come to be.
  • 22 Murders cover art

    • 22 Murders

    • Investigating the Massacres, Cover-up and Obstacles to Justice in Nova Scotia
    • Written by: Paul Palango
    • Narrated by: Matthew Hawkins
    • Length: 20 hrs
    • Release date: 2022-04-12
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 238 ratings
    • 22 Murders: Investigating the Massacres, Cover-up, and Obstacles to Justice in Nova Scotia is a must-read turned must-listen for true crime fans everywhere. Writer Paul Palango exposes one of the most devastating killing sprees in Canadian history and the travesty endured by the victims and their families at the hands of a corrupt police force. Paul Palango is a retired investigative journalist, but when he learned about this massacre, he knew he had to act. That is how this riveting number one national best seller came to be and how Palango uncovered a world of failure and depravity that cost a small community 22 innocent lives. This unabridged Audible audiobook will blow your mind and leave a mark on you long after its conclusion.
  • Year of the Tiger cover art

    • Year of the Tiger

    • An Activist's Life
    • Written by: Alice Wong
    • Narrated by: Nancy Wu
    • Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
    • Release date: 2022-09-06
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
    • Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life, written by Alice Wong, is a revolutionary memoir by the activist, founder, and director of the Disability Visibility Project. Alice Wong’s journey of fighting for, forging, and nurturing a community for the disabled community, is as inspirational as it is fascinating. In Chinese culture, the tiger symbolizes power, ferocity, passion, and ambition, which perfectly encompasses Alice Wong’s story. A disabled activist, creator, organizer, and dreamer, she draws on her collection of essays as she takes listeners deep into her struggles and triumphs. She recounts her story with wit, humour, and rage. Year of the Tiger is the perfect audiobook for anyone needing some inspiration in their own lives.
  • Fen, Bog and Swamp cover art

    • Fen, Bog and Swamp

    • A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis
    • Written by: Annie Proulx
    • Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
    • Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins
    • Release date: 2022-09-27
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 2 ratings
    • Fen, Bog and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis is the newest work from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and journalist Annie Proulx. This riveting audiobook is an eye-opening look at the destruction of wetlands over hundreds of years and the devastating ecological consequences on the planet's ecosystems. A lifelong environmentalist, Annie Proulx's extensive research is extraordinarily important to uncovering the urgency of understanding and preserving the environment we all rely on. The Fen, Bog and Swamp audiobook is an essential listen for anyone interested in learning more about the planet and its fascinatingly complex ecosystem.
  • How You Get Famous cover art

    • How You Get Famous

    • Ten Years of Drag Madness in Brooklyn
    • Written by: Nicole Pasulka
    • Narrated by: Nicky Endres
    • Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
    • Release date: 2022-06-07
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • A bold and riveting look at the fabulous world of Brooklyn drag, How You Get Famous by Nicole Pasulka is equally fascinating grit and incredible storytelling. Journalist Nicole Pasulka lovingly documents the rebirth of the New York drag scene as she follows a group of iconic performers with immense talent and an even more significant point to prove. How You Get Famous is a boundless portrayal of the 21st-century hunt for fame and human connection forged through community and the struggles, battles, and bitter disappointments encountered along the way. The How You Get Famous audiobook is a joyful, eye-opening listen.
  • The Last Resort cover art

    • The Last Resort

    • A Chronicle of Paradise, Profit, and Peril at the Beach
    • Written by: Sarah Stodola
    • Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon
    • Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins
    • Release date: 2022-06-28
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
    • The Last Resort: A Chronicle of Paradise, Profit, and Peril at the Beach is a riveting examination of beach resort culture. Writer Sarah Stodola looks at what motivates people to seek out beaches and why we often regard beaches as the go-to place to find paradise. In her research, Sarah Stodola also examines the darker side of the beach and resort culture, including reckless construction, beach erosion, staggering carbon footprints, overdevelopment, and the financial grip on local economies. The Last Resort audiobook takes listeners from the shores of Monte Carlo to a decimated beach in Fiji, the overdeveloped shores of Acapulco, and the beaches of Miami, where the threat of the barrier island vanishing into the ocean grows every day. This is essential listening for anyone who considers themselves a beach resort goer and traveller.
  • Hollywood Ending cover art

    • Hollywood Ending

    • Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence
    • Written by: Ken Auletta
    • Narrated by: Jonathan Coleman
    • Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins
    • Release date: 2022-07-12
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 15 ratings
    • Hollywood Ending: Harvey Weinstein and the Culture of Silence is a riveting biography and examination of the life and career of Harvey Weinstein written by Ken Auletta. Twenty years ago, Ken Auletta wrote a historic New Yorker profile on Harvey Weinstein, who was at the height of his popularity and power. The profile sparked controversy after revealing Weinstein's volatile and sometimes aggressive behaviour but little did anyone know that a sexual predator was lurking beyond the already unsettling surface. Hollywood Ending is a jaw-droppingly infuriating look at how Weinstein managed to hide in plain sight for so long and the silence that enabled his anonymity for much too long. This gripping audiobook is full of the bombshells and personal experiences that led to the downfall of one of Hollywood's most prolific figures.
  • The Gotti Wars cover art

    • The Gotti Wars

    • Taking Down America's Most Notorious Mobster
    • Written by: John Gleeson
    • Narrated by: Adam Grupper
    • Length: 13 hrs and 38 mins
    • Release date: 2022-05-03
    • Language: English
    • 5 out of 5 stars 4 ratings
    • John Gleeson, the prosecutor who managed to convict renowned mob boss John Gotti, takes listeners on a dizzying journey decades in the making in his long-awaited memoir. The Gotti Wars: Taking Down America’s Most Notorious Mobster recounts John Gleeson’s role in two of the most famous American trials that subsequently led to the toppling of the entire Mafia. John Gotti’s whirlwind rise to infamy was as fast-paced as his downfall, and the young prosecutor John Gleeson witnessed it all. This audiobook is a thrilling and epic courtroom drama that brilliantly captures a fascinating time in America’s history. Prepare to be obsessed with this unique look at one of the most significant cases of true crime in recent history.
  • Dress Code cover art

    • Dress Code

    • Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink
    • Written by: Véronique Hyland
    • Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya
    • Length: 9 hrs and 21 mins
    • Release date: 2022-03-15
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • Dress Code: Unlocking Fashion from the New Look to Millennial Pink is a brilliant collection of essays focusing on the fascinating history and influence of the fashion industry. Elle Magazine’s fashion features editor Veronique Hyland examines the motivation behind style choices and the power that fashion holds over everything from self-identity, and women’s rights, to social standing. Often seen as trivial and superficial, Hyland makes a riveting argument that fashion is a powerful window into the path of sexual revolutions, historical events, and how we all unwittingly choose to move through the world. Dress Code is an essential audiobook for fashion lovers everywhere.
  • How Civil Wars Start cover art

    • How Civil Wars Start

    • And How to Stop Them
    • Written by: Barbara F. Walter
    • Narrated by: Beth Hicks
    • Length: 7 hrs and 17 mins
    • Release date: 2022-01-11
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
    • How Civil Wars Start: And How to Stop Them, from writer and leading political scientist Barbara F. Walter, is a rousing look at the factors that lead to civil wars and the terrifying reality of a seemingly inevitable second American civil uprising. The New York Times best seller is an urgent and insightful account from someone who has extensively studied civil war and the telltale signs that something truly alarming is afoot in the United States of America. From the political unrest and conspiracy theorists that stormed the capital in support of Donald Trump to the police brutality threatening to rip the country apart at the seams, How Civil Wars Start is as alarming as it is eye-opening. This audiobook is a rigorously researched and indispensable listen.
  • Lost & Found cover art

    • Lost & Found

    • A Memoir
    • Written by: Kathryn Schulz
    • Narrated by: Kathryn Schulz
    • Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins
    • Release date: 2022-01-11
    • Language: English
    • 4 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
    • A journalist for The New Yorker and Pulitzer Prize winner Kathryn Schulz movingly captures the worlds of profound grief and unexplainable joy in Lost & Found: A Memoir. When Kathryn meets the love of her life and the woman who would one day become her wife, she finds herself experiencing the kind of joy she had only ever dreamed of. That is until her beloved father dies unexpectedly, and her world is simultaneously blinding joy and crippling despair. Oprah Daily says, Lost & Found exemplifies the best of what a memoir can do. This audiobook is for anyone who has lost something, big or small, and will leave listeners brilliantly moved by Kathryn's exploration of the connections that exist between us all.
  • You Don’t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays cover art

    • You Don’t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays

    • Written by: Zora Neale Hurston, Henry Louis Gates - introduction, Genevieve West - introduction
    • Narrated by: Robin Miles
    • Length: 15 hrs and 19 mins
    • Release date: 2022-01-18
    • Language: English
    • Not rated yet
    • You Don’t Know Us Negroes and Other Essays is a collection of work that gorgeously showcases Zora Neale Hurston’s work of more than 35 years as an archivist and writer. Recorded during the rise of the Harlem Renaissance, the Montgomery bus boycott, desegregation of the military and school integration, her work is a profoundly moving examination of Black life in America. The body of work in this title paints a vivid picture of how Hurston interpreted the impact of things like slavery and Jim Crow on Black men and women. Initially set out to destroy Black people, it only encouraged their fight for survival in a world fraught with white supremacy. You Don’t Know Us Negroes is a riveting listen.
  • South to America cover art

    • South to America

    • A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation
    • Written by: Imani Perry
    • Narrated by: Imani Perry
    • Length: 16 hrs and 32 mins
    • Release date: 2022-01-25
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 5 ratings
    • South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation is an enthralling examination of the intricacies of the American South. As a daughter of the South and native of Alabama, writer Imani Perry knows firsthand that the typical cliches about the South are much more complex. The reality is that understanding those complexities is the key to understanding America as a whole. Imani Perry sensitively weaves stories of immigrant communities, artists, exploitation, slavery, and personal experiences extraordinarily etched by her ancestors. Narrated in her own voice, South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation is a captivating listen.
  • True Story cover art

    • True Story

    • What Reality TV Says About Us
    • Written by: Danielle J. Lindemann
    • Narrated by: Libby McKnight
    • Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
    • Release date: 2022-02-15
    • Language: English
    • 2 out of 5 stars 1 rating
    • True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us is a gripping examination of reality TV and its effect on society. Sociologist and passionate TV watcher, Danielle J. Lindemann, dives deep into what the reality TV shows that dominate our culture reveal about how we view critical issues. From sexuality and race to social status and gender, the shows we enjoy are a searing reflection of our human experience and what is acceptable. Lindemann argues that more than just a guilty pleasure, taking reality TV more seriously can lead to a better understanding of the social constructs and institutions that power our world. The True Story audiobook is an eye-opening examination of self that listeners will not be able to ignore.
  • Scoundrel cover art

    • Scoundrel

    • How a Convicted Murderer Persuaded the Women Who Loved Him, the Conservative Establishment and the Courts to Set Him Free
    • Written by: Sarah Weinman
    • Narrated by: Gabra Zackman
    • Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
    • Release date: 2022-02-22
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
    • Scoundrel: How a Convicted Murderer Persuaded the Women Who Loved Him, the Conservative Establishment and the Courts to Set Him Free is one of the most highly reviewed and recommended true crime books of 2022. Writer Sarah Weinman’s gripping investigation into one of the most prolific killers in Californian history is a thrilling roller coaster of discovery. The fascinating true story of killer Edgar Smith is one of masterful deceit and jaw-dropping gullibility that is almost too shocking to believe. When Edgar Smith is set free from death row with the help of some influential and respected friends, he rises to the highest ranks of intellectual society by becoming a famous and celebrated author and prison reform activist. That is, until it all came crashing down on him when his murderous impulses became too much to resist. Scoundrel is everything a true crime fan could want in an audiobook and will leave listeners reeling.
  • The Invisible Kingdom cover art

    • The Invisible Kingdom

    • Reimagining Chronic Illness
    • Written by: Meghan O'Rourke
    • Narrated by: Meghan O'Rourke
    • Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins
    • Release date: 2022-03-01
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
    • The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness is a fascinating mixture of memoir, journalistic reporting and cultural history. Writer Meghan O'Rourke has spent the last decade researching the reasons behind the meteoric rise of chronic illness and autoimmune diseases in America and the Western approach to invisible illness. As a patient herself, O'Rourke draws on years of interviews with doctors, researchers, public health experts, and her personal experiences to candidly explore the lives of patients affected by this overwhelming rise in chronic illness. The Invisible Kingdom audiobook is a fascinating listen that will open your eyes to the desperate need for a revolution in how we approach diseases and patient care.
  • How to Take Over the World cover art

    • How to Take Over the World

    • Practical Schemes and Scientific Solutions for the Aspiring Supervillain
    • Written by: Ryan North
    • Narrated by: Ryan North
    • Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
    • Release date: 2022-03-15
    • Language: English
    • 4.5 out of 5 stars 11 ratings
    • How to Take Over the World: Practical Schemes and Scientific Solutions for the Aspiring Supervillain from award-winning comic writer Ryan North is a delightfully funny and informative listen. Bestselling writer Ryan North has a lot of experience with supervillains. Now, he is laying out just what it takes to pull off some of the most absurd and villainous schemes that use today's unbelievable technological advancements. Written in a hilariously serious and incredibly informative format, How to Take Over the World isn't just for the destructive kind of villain. It's also helpful if you are interested in saving the world. This audiobook is highly entertaining and will appeal to comic book lovers everywhere.
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