U.S. Audiobook Sales Grew 9% in 2025, to $2.43 Billion

Publisher's Weekly ^ | Jun 08, 2026 | Ed Nawotka

[ProgressingAmerica]

Audiobook industry sales revenue grew 9% in 2025, hitting $2.43 billion, according to the Audio Publishers Association's annual sales survey, conducted by Toluna. Publishers reported more than 750,000 active titles last year, a 43% increase from 2024.

General fiction accounted for the largest share of audiobook revenue at 27%, with science fiction/fantasy, romance, and mysteries/thrillers/suspense rounding out the top genres. The fastest-growing genres in 2025 were humor, general fiction, and children's, including YA.

...

AI-narrated audiobooks remain a marginal interest, representing just 0.03% of sales in 2025. Curiosity about AI-narrated books also appears to be in decline, as those expressing a willingness to try AI-narrated titles dropped from 70% in 2025 to 61% in 2026. Only 16% of audiobook listeners reported having listened to an AI-voiced title.

[KarlInOhio]

Amazon offered me a discounted audio version of a book I had just bought on Kindle. Unfortunately, when I listened to the sample it was read by Wil Wheaton and I just couldn’t get into the story as read by Westley Crusher.

[mass55th]

Thanks. I read mostly non-fiction, sourced books...history related, and the majority of the fiction books I read are series by British authors.

[montag813]

I never got into Harry Potter when my kids did 20+ years ago, although I watched the films with them later. My daughter gave me a full-cast audio series of the books, and they are simply amazing. Music, sound effects, and top-tier actors like Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen and James MacAvoy reading the characters in full acting mode. It’s like listening to the old radio serials of yesteryear. Highly recommend.

[montag813]

Unfortunately, when I listened to the sample it was read by Wil Wheaton and I just couldn’t get into the story as read by Westley Crusher.

It doesn't help that Wheaton is also a retarded commie lib.

[Nervous Tick]

>> Wheaton is also a retarded commie lib

Is there another kind of commie lib besides ‘retarded’?

[DiogenesLamp]

Hahaha you’re a funny guy.

I don’t get paid for any of the audio books I’ve created.

Well I didn't know that, but that wasn't really the measure of "good" I was expressing. You are doing a good service for the world, and it is seemingly increasing in market share.

There are more rewards in life than just money.

When I lost my Tea Parties a decade ago I needed a place to put my energy. I was never good at sitting still and just waiting uselessly from one election to another. That’s 730 days inbetween each one.

That is way, way too long of a time to not be doing anything meaningful.

I understand. People need a purpose in their life, and I think you've found something that satisfies that need in yours.

I don't always agree with your take on things, but I have always recognized that you are trying to do good in the world.

[ProgressingAmerica]

Well,

It did for a while merely scratch a very insistent itch. However it is being successful as you note.

Between the dozens of books I’ve (1)created myself or (2)managed to completion I have had over a million downloads. Otherwise I may have given up long ago. It’s proving to be worth my time to persist.

[missthethunder]

“I tried listening to Shelby Foote reading his Civil War history series on cassette while on a trip, but I found it too distracting,”

I would like to recommend
this one book for a trip or just
around the house.

“All fisherman are liars.”

It’s about the East Coast fishing.

The author is female and an actual
captain of a fishing boat supposedly.
She reads the audiobook.

It’s hilarious.
And I’ve never even been
north or east of Kentucky.
So you don’t need to be familiar with
the culture to enjoy the book.

It’s the only audiobook I’ve been able
to listen to when I had not ever read the book 1st.

Most audiobooks I listen to would be ones I have read.

Also highly recommend the serious
station that plays old Time radio programs.
It’s station 148 for us.

My favorite is Bob Bailey as “Johnny Dollar”

[mass55th]

Thanks, but I’ll stick to the books I still have sitting in my book cases, waiting to be read before I die.

[rlmorel]

I certainly hope it is true that AI will not displace human readers.

I’m making some progress on “The Naked Communist“… And I hope I can finish it soon, because it is pretty disturbing in a way that people need to understand with the upcoming election.