Whether you're on the daily commute, preparing a meal, or relaxing in the evening, immersing yourself in a compelling story is a favourite Australian pastime. In a landmark move for 2025, Spotify launched its inaugural Audiobooks Wrapped feature, offering a data-driven glimpse into the narratives that captured the imagination of listeners globally, including right here in Australia.
Romantasy Reigns Supreme in Listening Habits
The results from Spotify's 2025 data painted a clear picture: Australian listeners are deeply enamoured with sweeping romantic-fantasy tales, poignant memoirs, and engaging contemporary fiction. The top-ten list was overwhelmingly dominated by these genres, providing a perfect source of inspiration for anyone looking to curate their 2026 listening queue.
Leading the pack was Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. Its number-one position came as little shock, given it also held the title of Amazon Australia's number-one best-selling book. This high-stakes romantasy, packed with dragons, danger, and desire, is the quintessential weekend binge-listen. It is priced at $22.99 on Amazon Australia.
In second place was Lights Out by Navessa Allen, a viral TikTok sensation known for its dark humour and palpable emotional tension. Priced at $14, it's the ideal pick for those seeking a moodier, immersive escape after a long day.
Naturally, the sequel to the top book followed closely. Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros secured third place, expanding the lush world of its predecessor with higher stakes and a deeper romantic plot for $14.
Bestselling Series and Standout Memoirs
The influential A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas made a powerful showing, with three entries in the top ten. A Court of Thorns and Roses itself landed in fourth spot. This modern fantasy, which has amassed over 300,000 reviews and buzz for an upcoming TV adaptation, is available for $12.
Its sequel, A Court of Mist and Fury, described as darker and more addictive, took fifth place, also for $12. The third instalment in the series, A Court of Wings and Ruin, claimed eighth position, offering epic fantasy-romance for the same price.
Breaking the fantasy streak, The House of My Mother by Shari Franke offered a raw and intimate alternative. This Sunday Times bestselling memoir, exploring a daughter's quest for freedom, took sixth place and is priced at $24.
For listeners craving grounded, character-driven stories, The Wedding People by Alison Espach provided a cozy and relatable contemporary read in seventh position for $14.
Rounding out the list were two distinct titles. Quicksilver by Callie Hart, an intense and emotionally charged romantic fantasy for those preferring a darker tone, placed ninth at $18. Finally, Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry offered a light and hopeful note at number ten, a perfect uplifting end-of-day listen for $18.
What the Trends Tell Us
The clear dominance of romantic fantasy, or 'romantasy', in Spotify's first Audiobooks Wrapped highlights a massive trend in Australian listening habits. It shows a strong appetite for escapism, intricate world-building, and compelling romantic plots. The inclusion of a major memoir and contemporary fiction demonstrates that while fantasy leads, there is a diverse appetite for powerful human stories across genres. This list serves as a definitive guide for what captivated Australian ears in 2025 and a curated starting point for the year ahead.
