J.K. Rowling
Queen of Wizardry
J.K. Rowling’s first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published in 1997. She went on to write six more stories about everyone’s favourite wizard as well as three companion books for charity. In 2016, she collaborated on the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and made her screenwriting debut with the first Fantastic Beasts film.
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Terry Pratchett
King of Fantasy
Creator of the Discworld series totalling 41 novels, English writer Terry Pratchett averaged two novels a year focusing on comic fantasy with his final novel The Shepherd's Crown released five months after his death in 2015.
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George R. R. Martin
King of Dark Fantasy
Fans of TV's Game of Thrones will be familiar with the work of this American author whose series of epic fantasy novels, A Song of Ice and Fire was adapted for the small screen. George R R Martin is also a journalism graduate with numerous short stories published and screenplays produced.
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Bill Bryson
King of Travelogues
Over the past three decades American-born Bill Bryson has informed and entertained with his books on travel, science, history and the English language. Notable works include Notes from a Small Island and A Short History of Nearly Everything.
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Philip Pullman
King of Escapism
Named by The Times as one of the '50 greatest British writers since 1945', author and education campaigner Philip Pulman has written predominantly for children, influenced by his work as a teacher. He is best known for the award winning His Dark Materials series, consisting of Northern Lights (adapted into the film The Golden Compass), The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass.
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Agatha Christie
Queen of Crime
Agatha Christie's commitment to crime novels is lauded and she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her contribution to literature. Her 66 detective novels mostly focus on two popular fictional detectives - Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. In addition, her murder mystery play The Mousetrap has been running in the West End since 1952.
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Stephen Fry
King of Wit
Audible favourite Stephen Fry is a writer, actor and comedian well known for his TV show QI and narration of the Harry Potter audiobooks. Of his novels and non fiction works, The Hippopotamus is most well known while his three volumes of the autobiographies highlights his humour and candour.
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Paula Hawkins
Queen of the Thriller
Zimbabwe-born author Paula Hawkins is best known for her bestselling novel The Girl on the Train which was adapted into the 2016 film. Originally writing romantic comedy, it wasn't until she wrote the complex thriller that she saw commercial success. Her second novel Into The Water was published in 2017.
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Dan Brown
King of Conspiracy Theory
A former songwriter, Dan Brown had written three novels before his fourth, The Da Vinci Code, shot to the top of the New York Times Best Seller list in its first week of release. Drawing on themes of religion, symbols and consiracy theories he has now written five novels featuring Professor Robert Langdon.
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Charles Dickens
King of Serialised Fiction
Acclaimed novelist and social citic during the Victorian era, Portsmouth-born Charles Dickens had received no formal education when he embarked on a career as a prolific writer. In addition to editing and contributing to journals throughout his career he also published 15 novels alongside hundres of essays, short stories and articles.
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David Walliams
King of Laughter
Well known for his comedy work partnering with Matt Lucas for the BBC show Little Britain, and as a judge on Britain's Got Talent, David Walliams has also put his humour into story-telling for children. Often likened to Roald Dahl, several of David Walliams books have been adapted into films including Gangsta Granny and Ratburger.
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Prof Steve Peters
King of Mindfulness
Psychiatrist Prof Steve Peters has worked with sports stars, including the British Cycling team, Liverpool Football Club and UK Athletics for the 2012 Olympics, for two decades. A competitive athlete himself, his bestselling book The Chimp Paradox helps listeners use meditation and mindfulness to lead happy, successful lives.
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Jojo Moyes
Queen of Romance
Twice winner of the Romantic Novelist’s Award, Londoner Jojo Moyes was a journalist for ten years before becoming a full-time novelist in 2002. She has since written 15 books, three of which centre on Louisa Clark: Me Before You adapted into a 2016 film; After You and Still Me released in January 2018. Discover more
E. L. James
Queen of Erotica
Erika Mitchell Leonard, known by her pen name E. L. James, famously started writing fan fiction after enjoying the Twilight trilogy and was soon inspired to write Fifty Shades of Grey, the fastest selling paperback of all time. Completing the trilogy as well as a further two books written from the viewpoint of central character Christian Grey, her novels are known for their erotic nature.
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Arthur Conan Doyle King of Detection
Best known for the creation of one of Britain's best loved investigators Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was a physician before he wrote four novels and more than 50 stories about the eccentric consulting detective and his colleague and friend Dr Watson. Doyle's other works included science fiction and historical novels including the Challenger series.
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Yuval Noah Harari
King of Human History
Israeli historian, Oxford graduate, and professor at the University of Jerusalem, Yuval Noah Harari has written two books with a third due for release in August 2018. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind covers the evolution of humans from the Stone Age to the 21st Century while Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow considers the future of humans.
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Jane Austen
Queen of Realism
It's hard to imagine given her popularity and critical acclaim today, but during her lifetime Jane Austen's works achieved only modest success. Two years after her death ther novels were republished and saw a much wider readership. Social commentary on the 18th century landed gentry and women's place in society is evident in her four major novels - Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park and Emma.
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Suzanne Collins
Queen of Children's Fiction
Formerly a writer for children's TV, Suzanne Collins was inspired to write books for children after meeting an author. Her first efforts - the New York Times bestselling series Underland Chronicles - featured a fantasy world beneath New York City. However it is The Hunger Games trilogy which has seen her become a household name. The books - The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay - have all been adapted into Hollywood films.
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Roald Dahl
King of Dark Comedy
Born in Wales in 1916 Roald Dahl is a much celebrated author of children's books known for their dark humour. After serving in the RAF during the second world war Roald Dahl wrote favourites Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, The Twits and George's Marvellous Medicine alongside serveral more sinister stories for adults.
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Marian Keyes
Queen of Gritty Humour
Drawing on personal experiences, Irish novellist Marian Keyes is praised for dealing with such dark themes as depression, drug abuse, alcoholism and divorce with humour and optimism. Featuring strong female characters her sixteen novels are often categorised as chick-lit. She has also written several non fiction books, including a light-hearted cookery book for beginners and several memoirs.
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Writers on Royalty: the British Monarchy
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Harry
- Conversations with the Prince
- By: Angela Levin
- Narrated by: Bea Holland
- Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall23
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Performance19
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Story18
Includes exclusive access and interviews with Prince Harry. Once a reckless rebel, now a respected role model, Prince Harry is one of the world's most popular royals and the force behind giving the British royal family a 21st-century makeover. How has he done it? Harry: Conversations with the Prince is a three-dimensional look at what Harry is really like, both on and off royal duty. It is written by distinguished journalist and author Angela Levin, who accompanied Prince Harry on many of his engagements and had exclusive access to him at Kensington Palace.
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Harry conversations with a prince
- By Anonymous on 22-11-25
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Meghan
- A Hollywood Princess
- By: Andrew Morton
- Narrated by: Andrew Morton, Charles Armstrong
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall46
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Performance43
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Story42
The first in-depth biography of the American actress and humanitarian campaigner who will marry Prince Harry in May 2018, written by the world's best-known royal biographer. When Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were set up by a mutual friend on a blind date in June 2016, little could they know that just 16 months later the resulting whirlwind romance would lead to their engagement in November 2017 and marriage in May 2018.
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Meghan Markle
- By Susan Random on 31-10-18
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Young Elizabeth
- By: Kate Williams
- Narrated by: Kate Williams
- Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall6
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Performance5
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Story5
We can hardly imagine a Britain without Elizabeth II on the throne. It seems to be the job she was born for. And yet, for much of her early life, the young princess did not know the role that her future would hold. She was our accidental Queen. As a young girl, Elizabeth was among the guests in Westminster Abbey watching her father being crowned, making her the only monarch to have attended a parent's coronation.
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Prince Harry
- Brother, Soldier, Son
- By: Penny Junor
- Narrated by: Penny Junor
- Length: 13 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall23
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Performance21
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Story21
This is the Prince Harry you've never heard about before. Published in celebration of his 30th birthday, this is the story behind the tabloid stories. The Prince who has the power to make or break. The maverick Prince, who is brilliant, impetuous, and unpredictable. The Prince who with his unique talents, charm, and bloody-minded determination is changing lives across the world. But the Prince who could, in a moment of madness, bring it all crashing down.
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Penny - get a professional to do the audio!!
- By Lisa on 21-01-15
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A Royal Duty
- By: Paul Burrell
- Narrated by: Paul Burrell
- Length: 18 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall260
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Performance223
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Story219
In A Royal Duty, Paul Burrell reveals the truth about Princess Diana, as well as a faithful account of her thoughts. He was the favourite footman who formed a unique relationship with the Queen. He was the butler who the Princess of Wales called "my rock" and "the only man I can trust". He was accused of theft, then acquitted following the historic intervention of the monarch. He was the Princess' most intimate confidant.
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You'll never see the royals the same again..
- By honeybee on 29-05-13
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American Princess
- The Love Story of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
- By: Leslie Carroll
- Narrated by: Andi Arndt
- Length: 7 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall6
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Performance5
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Story5
A behind-the-scenes look into the life of Meghan Markle and her romance with Prince Harry—a dishy, delightful must-listen filled with exclusive insights for anyone obsessed with the Royal Family. Leslie Carroll’s books on royalty are “an irresistible combination of People Magazine and the...
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Elizabeth II: Life of a Monarch
- By: Ruth Cowen
- Narrated by: Jennie Bond, Tim Piggott-Smith, Lindsay Duncan
- Length: 4 hrs
- Original Recording
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Overall325
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Performance286
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Story283
Veteran royal broadcaster Jennie Bond explores the life of Britain's longest reigning monarch. Wife, mother and head of state, who is the real Elizabeth? What do the headlines hide? How close to reality are the television interpretations? Once a minor royal, she is now one of the most recognisable women in the world. Admired by many, she has reigned through a period of unprecedented change, steering the monarchy through the end of an empire, public scandals and private losses.
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Way better than I'd expected!
- By Jay Laai'q on 01-03-18
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Ma’am Darling: 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret
- 99 Glimpses of Princess Margaret
- By: Craig Brown
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall320
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Performance286
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Story283
The funny and tragic, bestselling biography of The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret, perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown. A GUARDIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR A TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR A DAILY MAIL BOOK OF THE YEAR ‘I honked so loudly the man sitting next to me dropped his sandwich’...
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La-di-da
- By Pamela on 06-11-17
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Shadows of a Princess
- By: Patrick Jephson
- Length: 19 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall60
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Performance53
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Story52
Reissued for the twentieth anniversary of Diana’s death, this sensational bestseller is an explosive account of her life, from the man who was by her side throughout its most turbulent period. In 1981 Lady Diana Spencer was seen by many as a lifeline for the outdated Windsor line. But Diana...
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Story of a person who is like anyone else
- By PavLove on 28-05-18
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The Duchess: The Untold Story – the explosive biography, as seen in the Daily Mail
- The Untold Story – the explosive biography, as seen in the Daily Mail
- By: Penny Junor
- Narrated by: Jenny Funnell
- Length: 12 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall76
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Performance67
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Story66
THE #2 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ‘A gripping story of human frailty, love, loss, sadness, and tragedy’ Daily Mail She is the most public and least understood woman in Britain. Diana called her a Rottweiler. But spend two minutes with Camilla and you understand why Charles fell for her. The...
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Sycophantic Dribble.
- By 5712.odea on 05-07-17
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Prince Harry: The Inside Story
- By: Duncan Larcombe
- Narrated by: Richard Trinder
- Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall25
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Performance22
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Story20
Prince Harry has made headlines all over the world with his unruly antics, but instead of being sidelined as the House of Windsor's biggest liability, Prince Henry of Wales has emerged as the jewel in the crown of the modern British Monarchy. Today Harry is the most popular member of the monarchy after Her Majesty herself. He has won the public's heart as the loveable rogue prince and royal heartthrob for girls and women around the world.
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Drivel
- By Fylakas Aggelos on 24-06-17
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Young Prince Philip: His Turbulent Early Life
- By: Philip Eade
- Narrated by: William Rycroft
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Overall19
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Performance15
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Story15
A gripping biography of the early life of Prince Philip, published to coincide with his 90th birthday. Married for more than 60 years to the most famous woman in the world, Prince Philip is the longest-serving royal consort in British history. Yet while he is still one of the most recognisable figures in public life, his origins remain curiously shrouded in obscurity.