When Riley Keough agreed to help her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, write her memoir, she had no idea that her mother would be gone a month later. Before her death, Presley had started to record tapes—voice memos to try and make sense of the story she wanted to tell. Keough knows that these tapes are a privilege, a gift that she has now so kindly shared with all of us. From Here to the Great Unknown is a deeply human and moving story of a woman we only thought we knew. Keough narrates along with the great Julia Roberts and, yes, those tapes from Lisa Marie herself, making this an unforgettable listening experience. —Katie O.

Quick, who’s your favorite Pacino? A brilliantly understated antihero like Michael Corleone, or the extravagantly operatic Tony Montana or Frank Slade? Dearest to me is Dog Day Afternoon’s Sonny, coincidentally a name Al’s beloved mother also called him back when he was a South Bronx street kid in the 1940s. Sonny Boy takes us back to those days, from growing up in a fractured Italian American family, to his creative awakening in New York theater, to his dizzying rise and long career at the heights of cinema. Pacino’s narration feels like a gift—an intimate reflection of a life well-lived, and a remarkable legacy for both his children and his fans. —Kat J.

Bits and Pieces is a deeply personal and unique exploration of grief, memory, and personal growth, making it one of my personal favorite listens of the year. Her informal tone and relatable anecdotes made it feel like a conversation with a friend. With her signature voice—authentic, humorous, and honest—Goldberg examines loss and resilience in a way that feels universally relatable. She reminds us that loss, while deeply painful, is also a testament to the love we have for others. Bits and Pieces provides a new layer to her well-known public persona, revealing a vulnerability that is both touching and inspiring. —Dawn G.

Ina Garten's memoir is a treat for fans and foodies alike. Narrated by Garten herself, the audiobook brings an intimate charm to her life story. As she recounts her unlikely journey from nuclear policy writer to culinary icon, listeners are treated to personal revelations with her signature warmth and wit. From her early struggles in the food world to an enduring love story with her husband, Jeffrey, Ina doesn’t hold back. Whether you're swooning over Jeffrey and Ina’s romance or savoring her career milestones, this audiobook is a delightful and inspiring listen that I eagerly devoured. —Patty K.R.

Uzo Aduba starts her memoir by doing something I myself was once guilty of—eulogizing a parent before they’re gone. While it sounds morbid, it’s simply a way to try and make sense of the profound impact that this person has had on your life, knowing that their time left with you is limited. And the impact that Uzo’s mother had on her is immeasurable. The Road Is Good is a beautiful tribute to an extraordinary woman who had deep-rooted goals to raise well-rounded children. It's also an intimate look at Uzo’s own coming-of-age journey as a young Black woman in America. —KO

As a proud millennial and One Tree Hill fangirl (#naleyforever), I couldn’t wait for Bethany Joy Lenz’s memoir Dinner for Vampires. The prologue is startling and gripping, as Lenz plops you in the middle of her story, and vulnerably details the final breaking point in her marriage to the son of her cult leader. This vulnerability never wavers, and Lenz’s remarkable storytelling ability will suck you in whether you’re an OTH fan or not. Hearing this in Lenz’s own voice is a gift—she is both warm and raw, funny and dark—and you will finish in awe of her perseverance. —KO

Musician and artist Kathleen Hanna is best known as a pioneer of the punk scene, fronting boundary-breaking bands Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, and The Julie Ruin. Her work has been celebrated as much for its iconic sound, wit, and creative vision as its incisive, unabashedly feminist lens. Her memoir, certainly, is no different. Told in whip-fast, stream-of-consciousness chapters that span from Hanna’s turbulent childhood and the trauma of male violence to tours across the country and the stability of marriage and motherhood, Rebel Girl is, at its core, a validating ode to survival, whatever it takes. Hanna’s narration, like her writing style, is smart, sharp, and ferocious, balancing every bit of cutting humor with a remarkable gentleness. To hear more about her revolutionary career, listen in to our interview. —Alanna M.

As a Gilmore Girls fan, I downloaded Tony Award-winning actress Kelly Bishop’s memoir because I was curious to know about her time on the Gilmore Girls set. What I listened to, and fell in love with, was a beautiful story of resilience, grief, love, and the importance of staying true to yourself. From insights into her upbringing, to her marriages, falling in love with dance, and originating the role of Sheila in A Chorus Line, listeners learn about the best (and worst) moments of Bishop’s often-remarkable life (Gilmore Girls included). Her narration was delightfully intimate, and made me feel like I was sitting back and recounting memories with a dear friend. —PKR

In 2022, the world watched with rapt attention as WNBA superstar Brittney Griner was finally released after 10 months in Russian captivity and allowed to come home. For the first time, Griner details the days and moments leading up to her February 2022 arrest, when she was detained by Russian customs officials as she reentered the country to play for UMMC Ekaterinburg, her off-season team that she’d been with (and won championships for) since 2014. I was surprised to learn that Griner once considered Russia her second home, and I was utterly riveted by her vivid recounting of how that connection was shattered when she became a prisoner. Performed by Andia Winslow, with the introduction and epilogue read by Griner herself, Coming Home is a heartfelt story of survival, as well as a love letter to Griner’s family and wife, Cherelle. —KO