Calibre Audio

The Calibre Audio Awards 2023 Winners

We're delighted to announce the winners of the Calibre Audio Awards for 2023.

To help us celebrate the very best of the audiobooks added to our collection in 2022, we invited actress and Calibre Audio narrator Ellie Wallwork to unveil the worthy winners in each of the nine categories. Watch the video of the announcement here and see the full list below:

I was delighted to be asked to announce the winners of the Calibre Audio Awards 2023. As a visually impaired actress who has always loved books, I know first-hand the huge impact that audiobooks can have on a person’s life and this is why I am honoured to be involved in the Awards. I’m also so happy to be able to give some of my time to narrating books not available in audio for Calibre members to enjoy.
Ellie Wallwork, Actress and Volunteer Narrator,

1. Best Fiction Audiobook

Voted for by Calibre Audio members and scooping top place in this award is:

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman

This hugely successful third book in the Thursday Murder Club series follows the Coopers Chase Retirement Village gang hot on the trail of two murders, ten years apart. Listen to it here.

Image shows a head and shoulders shot of winning Author Richard Osman along with the audiobook cover of the Bullet that Missed and the covers of the other books shortlisted in the category

Other great titles shortlisted in this category included:

Richard sent an acceptance speech to thank Calibre members for voting, which you can watch below:

2. Best Children's Audiobook

Calibre's young members chose the winner of this category:

The Good Turn by Sharna Jackson

This action-packed, fast-moving adventure follows 11-year-old Josephine and her friends as they start their own Girl Scout Troop and get more than they bargained for when they begin a quest for their Camping Badge. Listen to it here.

Other fantastic shortlisted titles included:

3. Best Non-Fiction Audiobook

Voted for by Calibre Audio's members, the Award for Best Non-Fiction Audiobook goes to:

This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes

In this warm and honest life story, Miriam shares unforgettable tales from her past from being known as the naughtiest girl at school, to kissing Bob Monkhouse and getting told off by the Queen. Listen to the book here.

The shortlist also included these great reads:

4. Best Young Adult Audiobook

Once again voted for by members of Calibre Audio, the winner in this category is:

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

In this sequel to A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, Pip insists that her investigating days are behind her but when someone goes missing and the police won't help, she gets pulled into the search. Listen to the audiobook here.

Image shows winning author Holly Jackson together with the book covers for all the books shortlisted in the Young Adult Audiobook category.

Other great reads on the shortlist included:

5. Most Listened - Stream and Download

The winning title in this category was borrowed the most times by Calibre Audio's digital members who either stream or download their books:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling

The first in the bestselling series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone introduces us to Harry and charts his journey from the cupboard under the stairs to the magical world of Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft. Listen to the audiobook here.

6. Editorial Choice

Chosen by our Commissioning and Editorial team here at Calibre, the winner in this category is:

The Wych Elm by Tana French

When a brutal attack leaves Toby traumatised, he seeks refuge at his uncle's home but when a skull is discovered inside the old wych elm in the garden, Toby finds himself questioning everything he knew about his family. Listen to the book here.

7. Hidden Gem

Chosen by our Commissioning and Editorial team, the winner of this category is:

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor

This fascinating book takes the conventional wisdom of what we thought we knew about breathing, our most basic biological function, and turns it on its head. James Nestor shows us how by learning to breath correctly, we can improve our health and wellbeing. Listen to the book here.

8. Staff Favourite Audiobook

The winner in this category was voted as the favourite by staff at Calibre Audio:

And Away by Bob Mortimer

In this full life story, Bob takes us from his childhood in Middlesborough to a stint in a punk band and training as a solicitor before a chance encounter with Vic Reeves set his life on a different track. Listen to the audiobook here.

9. Best Narrator

New for this year, this category invited open votes from Calibre's members and the winner is:

Bob Rollett

Bob was a volunteer narrator for Calibre for 16 years, finally hanging up his microphone in 2022 after recording an astonishing 332 books for Calibre's members to enjoy. This award is a fitting tribute for a very special volunteer and here Bob tells us what this award means to him.