Loading
Audiobooks to make spring cleaning fun
Multitasking while organizing and cleaning is what these books are all about.
Published on May 1, 2023
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Benjamin Alire Sáenz“Hamilton”’s Lin-Manuel Miranda’s irresistible narration of Sáenz’s stunning novel about young love will lift your mood as you scrub, tidy, and organize. Despite being complete opposites, teens Aristotle and Dante strike up an instant friendship as they confront the challenges of family, culture, and sexuality. If your spring cleaning to-do list is long, there’s always the sequel, “Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World,” also narrated by Miranda.
One Italian Summer: A Novel
Rebecca SerleInstead of letting episodes of “Gilmore Girls” backdrop your cleaning efforts, why not tune into an audiobook narrated by Lauren Graham, aka Lorelai? When Katy Silver takes a solo trip to Italy while grieving her mother’s death, she inexplicably encounters her mother’s 30-year-old self (as well as a handsome hero). Searle (“In Five Years”) combines a time-bending adventure with a heartfelt story about deep love and the meaning of life.
The American Roommate Experiment: A Novel
Elena ArmasA fun-filled and heartwarming romance is just the spring cleaning ticket. After a maintenance disaster leaves her apartment uninhabitable, aspiring novelist Rosie Graham crashes at her friend Lina’s place. But she’s not alone: Lina’s cute cousin Lucas is also couch surfing. He offers to help Rosie overcome writer’s block by wining and dining her around New York City — for inspirational purposes, of course.
It Ends with Us
Colleen HooverIf you haven’t had a chance to listen to Hoover’s most popular book, spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity. In many ways, this seems like your stereotypical sexy romance novel: Protagonist Lily Bloom must choose between a hot doctor named Ryle and her first love, Atlas. But the story shines above the rest for its authentic and poignant portrayal of cycles of abuse. “It Ends With Us” consistently tops the bestseller lists.
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. MaasAnother #BookTok sensation, Maas’ wildly addictive novel takes themes from “Beauty and the Beast” and twists them into something entirely new and unexpected. Feyre is a huntress, but when she kills the wrong wolf, she is taken from her family and into the fae realm to pay the price. Only, the fae have secrets and problems of their own. Complete with curses, wicked rulers, dangerous bargains, and monsters, this story explores just how much one will sacrifice for love.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess: A Novel
Sue Lynn TanAs you dust and sweep, allow yourself to be whisked away to a beautiful world full of mythological creatures and magic. Xingyin attempts to free her imprisoned mother, the moon goddess, and is forced to choose between family and the fate of the world. A fresh imagining of Chinese folklore, Tan’s epic adventure and coming-of-age tale leaves fantasy lovers eager to dive into the sequel, “Heart of the Sun Warrior.”
This Woven Kingdom
Tahereh MafiThis enemies-to-lovers tale has an emotional plot, beautiful prose, and major “Cinderella” vibes when the love interest, a lowly servant, becomes the heir to the Jinn kingdom. National Book Award-nominee Mafi describes this book as “‘Game of Thrones’ set in the Persian empire.” If that doesn’t sound like the ideal spring cleaning distraction, nothing does.
The Song of Achilles: A Novel
Madeline MillerAn epic cleaning session deserves an equally epic story. This imaginative and modern reinvention of a classic is a transporting foray into Ancient Greece that will satisfy lovers of literature and poetry alike — and makes the time fly while you get things done around the house.
The Candy House: A Novel
Jennifer EganBook clubs were all over this bestselling novel in 2022. If you missed it during last year’s spring cleaning season, now’s the time to indulge. The standalone follow-up to Egan’s Pulitzer-winning “A Visit From the Goon Squad,” “The Candy House” is about a new platform called “Own Your Unconscious” — where users can upload their memories to the cloud. It delightfully twists through various points of view (including cameos from “Goon Squad” characters) in a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the need for community and connection.
Sadie: A Novel
Courtney SummersSadie has a stutter, a switchblade, and a will of steel. She’s declared missing after she embarks on a journey to find her sister’s killer, and a radio personality picks up her trail to create a popular podcast called “The Girls.” With a full cast narration, this Edgar Award-winning thriller is reminiscent of the Golden Age of Radio. As you’re caught up in the story’s twists and turns, don’t be surprised if your chores fly by.
Welcome to Night Vale
310 podcast episodes
Welcome to Night Vale
310 podcast episodesWelcome to Night Vale, a small desert town where strange things happen. This fiction podcast delivers bi-monthly episodes that masquerade as local weather, news, and other announcements from the town sheriff. It’s “what might occur if Stephen King or David Lynch was a guest producer at your local public radio station,” says the New York Times.
Anatomy: A Love Story
Dana SchwartzIn Georgian-era Edinburgh, Hazel is determined to become a surgeon, enlisting the help of resurrection man Jack as they both try to survive and stop the Roman Plague. This gothic, feminist love story full of cadavers — one of the more unique titles on this list — is an engrossing, if not macabre, YA tale to keep spring cleaning interesting.
The Paris Apartment: A Novel
Lucy FoleyWhen Jess Hadley’s brother goes missing, she asks the tenants of his once-elegant, now-creepy apartment building about his whereabouts. Each one deflects her questions, and Jess soon finds out the residents share a dark secret. It may be hard to focus on your chores during an exciting thrill ride through Paris, but any slowed progress is worth it for this novel’s big reveal.
The Clown Brigade
Stephen Graham JonesKyle plans to surprise Jenna with a romantic weekend, but he doesn’t anticipate the turbulent flight, uncooperative security, or so many clowns creeping around. If your preferred cleaning entertainment is psychological horror, Jones (“The Only Good Indians,” “My Heart is a Chainsaw”) never disappoints. This chilling Scribd Original takes on the maddening and sometimes deadly consequences of living and loving online, and the power of our delusions.
Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control
Organizing for the Rest of Us: 100 Realistic Strategies to Keep Any House Under Control
Dana K. WhiteIf you dread spring cleaning every year, White offers low-pressure and unconventional organizing advice — with enough encouragement to act on it. This audiobook, written for non-Type A’s, proves that decluttering can be easier than you think, and once you overcome that mental block, it’ll reward you with peace of mind (and a lovely home).
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Marie KondoIt’s a classic for a reason: Japanese cleaning consultant Kondo’s book on her KonMari Method — which involves clearing and organizing your items by category — sheds light on so much more than spring cleaning. This is definitely worth a listen, even if you already watched the TV adaptation, “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo,” on Netflix.
The Essential Habits of Conscious Consumers: A Guide to Wise and Sustainable Consumption
The Essential Habits of Conscious Consumers: A Guide to Wise and Sustainable Consumption
Stephanie Marie SeferianLots of clutter makes cleaning your home extra challenging, but you can streamline your life with the help of this “Scribd Coach” audiobook. Seferian, host of “The Sustainable Minimalists” podcast, shares her passion for mindful consumption in a way that’s inspiring, empowering, and empathetic.
We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy
We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy
Kliph NesteroffMake spring cleaning educational by learning how Native Americans profoundly influenced standup comedy. Spanning over 100 years, Nesteroff’s exploration of the little-known history of Indigenous performers is educational, heartwarming, and a celebration of Native peoples’ resilience and ability to find humor even in the darkest times.
Finding Me: A Memoir
Viola Davis“It’s an eenie, meenie, miny, mo game of luck, relationships, chance, how long you’ve been out there, and sometimes talent,” says Davis when describing her professional triumphs. This emotional memoir chronicling her journey from growing up in a rat-infested apartment to Julliard and beyond is an uplifting story of hard work and dedication. Davis won the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Audiobook, Narration, and Storytelling Recording for this title, securing the elusive EGOT status (for those who’ve won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, AND Tony).
High School
Sara QuinIndie pop favorites, LGBTQ+ icons, and twins Tegan and Sara open up in this revealing autobiography about their tumultuous high school years full of sibling squabbles, sexual discovery, and songwriting. The audiobook is especially entertaining while spring cleaning, as it features recordings of the sisters’ earliest music.
My Remarkable Journey: A Memoir
Katherine JohnsonIn 2015, Johnson, subject of the book “Hidden Figures” and its Oscar-winning film adaptation, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama. Her memoir explains everything that transpired over the 97 years before that moment. Johnson’s description of how she became one of NASA’s most influential employees during times of racial unrest and discrimination will uplift your spirit no matter how much housekeeping you have to do.
I'm Glad My Mom Died
Jennette McCurdyMcCurdy is an actress best known for playing Sam on the Nickelodeon sitcom “iCarly.” Her writing debut is an honest memoir of child stardom under the control of an abusive mother. It includes heavy themes, such as disordered eating, so some may wonder if it’s too dark a listen for spring cleaning. But McCurdy infuses humor and redemption into her coming-of-age story, and the tone is ultimately one of hope and resilience.