I Swapped My Holiday Scroll for These 5 Audible Books and It’s Been So Good
Not every night has to be social. Sometimes the best plan is pajamas, cocoa, and an audiobook that feels like a hug.
Photo Credit:Sarah Groeschen
Holiday burnout is real. Between family plans, group chats that never end, and endless scrolling for gifts, peace can start to feel like a luxury.
The truth? Sometimes the most stylish thing you can do in November is say no to the noise—and yes to your couch, a warm drink, and a story that lets your mind breathe.
This year, I’m claiming cozy nights as my soft spot. Think: blankets, fuzzy socks, and voices that feel like comfort food.
My not-so-secret weapon? Audible.
With their holiday promo three months for just $0.99 a month and the new release, Harry Potter: The Full Cast Recordings, I’ve made audiobooks my new end-of-day ritual. But lately, I’ve been reaching for stories that sound like me written, produced, or narrated by Black creators whose storytelling feels alive.
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1. Issa Rae — I Should Be Smarter by Now
If you’ve ever replayed a conversation in your head thinking, Why did I say that?, Issa Rae has you covered.
In her Audible Original, she opens up about the hilariously awkward, painfully honest, and deeply relatable parts of growing up—creatively, professionally, and personally. Expect her signature deadpan humor and sharp cultural commentary, but with more vulnerability than we’ve seen before. It’s a 6 part series and I played while working and I was heavily entertained. Issa naturally has a nice voice that really draws you in.
It’s a reminder that even the most successful women are still figuring it out—and that’s kind of the point.
Mood: The grown-woman version of Insecure with a podcast-level of intimacy.
Listen when: You need to laugh at life’s chaos instead of crying over it.
2. Randy McKinnon — The Prophecy
Randy McKinnon’s The Prophecy feels like cinematic Afrofuturism in surround sound. Set in a world where mythology collides with modernity, it follows a young Black hero confronting destiny, history, and identity—told through breathtaking sound design and dynamic narration.
It’s the kind of story that makes you remember why imagination matters. Rich world-building, vibrant dialogue, and themes of legacy and resistance make it both escapist and empowering.
Mood: Epic, immersive, thought-provoking.
Listen when: You’re craving something bigger than life but grounded in culture.
3. Tia Williams — The Perfect Find
Before Netflix adapted it into a rom-com starring Gabrielle Union, Tia Williams gave us the blueprint for second-chance success stories.
The Perfect Find follows Jenna Jones, a 40-year-old fashion editor trying to rebuild her career—only to fall for her much younger video producer (who also happens to be her boss’s son). The writing is witty, romantic, and drenched in New York City energy.
It’s a love letter to reinvention and resilience, proving that style and confidence only get better with age and experience.
Mood: Flirty but smart, romantic with edge.
Listen when: You’re in your robe but need a little “main character energy.”
4. Deesha Philyaw — The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
Winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the hearts of anyone who’s ever wrestled with who they’re expected to be versus who they are, this short-story collection is stunning.
Each story explores the inner worlds of Black women navigating desire, faith, and freedom with a tenderness that stays with you. Philyaw writes with a quiet power that demands to be felt.
It’s soulful, intimate, and everything short fiction should be.
Mood: Reflective, deeply human, and comforting.
Listen when: You want something beautiful and thought-provoking before bed.
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