Best Nonfiction Audio Books

I love listening to nonfiction audiobooks (esp. history, science, true adventure, and interesting biographies), but I've discovered that some are better than others. The writing style, the subject, and the quality of the narrator's voice all contribute to the overall experience. I've listed some of the titles that are stand-outs for me. I'd like to know what your favorites are, too! (PLEASE: NON-FICTION TITLES ONLY. At least five titles have been added to this list that are fiction. I cannot remove them, and they simply add clutter. They might be good audiobooks, but they don't belong on this list. Thank you.)
1

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3.96 avg rating — 1,045,216 ratings
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2

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4.39 avg rating — 993,369 ratings
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3

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4.19 avg rating — 851,070 ratings
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4

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4.07 avg rating — 438,721 ratings
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5

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4.08 avg rating — 468,191 ratings
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6

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4.01 avg rating — 715,672 ratings
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7

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4.22 avg rating — 415,214 ratings
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8

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3.86 avg rating — 510,830 ratings
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9

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4.13 avg rating — 791,774 ratings
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10

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4.08 avg rating — 119,871 ratings
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11

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4.32 avg rating — 1,335,267 ratings
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12

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3.85 avg rating — 550,467 ratings
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13

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3.78 avg rating — 79,982 ratings
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14

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4.34 avg rating — 312,208 ratings
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15

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4.39 avg rating — 355,219 ratings
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16

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4.26 avg rating — 555,402 ratings
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17

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4.06 avg rating — 235,867 ratings
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18

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4.01 avg rating — 888,928 ratings
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19

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3.90 avg rating — 199,256 ratings
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20

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4.15 avg rating — 1,338,732 ratings
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21

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4.49 avg rating — 785,441 ratings
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22

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4.16 avg rating — 614,750 ratings
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23

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3.96 avg rating — 616,722 ratings
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24

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4.20 avg rating — 1,166,346 ratings
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25

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4.01 avg rating — 221,705 ratings
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26

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3.67 avg rating — 110,325 ratings
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27

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4.46 avg rating — 158,057 ratings
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28

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4.30 avg rating — 230,263 ratings
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29

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3.71 avg rating — 110,167 ratings
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30

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4.29 avg rating — 100,507 ratings
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31

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3.78 avg rating — 49,172 ratings
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32

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3.88 avg rating — 387,892 ratings
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33

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4.19 avg rating — 209,306 ratings
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34

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3.90 avg rating — 107,876 ratings
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35

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3.64 avg rating — 1,826,140 ratings
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36

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3.89 avg rating — 14,693 ratings
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37

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4.07 avg rating — 49,814 ratings
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38

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3.65 avg rating — 194,772 ratings
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38

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3.95 avg rating — 17,289 ratings
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40

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3.42 avg rating — 10,447 ratings
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41

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3.87 avg rating — 46,633 ratings
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42

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3.83 avg rating — 168,853 ratings
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42

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3.87 avg rating — 84,380 ratings
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42

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3.93 avg rating — 50,879 ratings
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45

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3.76 avg rating — 68,797 ratings
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46

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4.18 avg rating — 73,469 ratings
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47

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4.01 avg rating — 846,968 ratings
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48

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4.10 avg rating — 271,633 ratings
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49

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4.20 avg rating — 92,182 ratings
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50

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3.95 avg rating — 31,333 ratings
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51

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4.34 avg rating — 111,982 ratings
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52

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4.09 avg rating — 715,118 ratings
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53

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4.23 avg rating — 167,531 ratings
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54

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4.23 avg rating — 81,928 ratings
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55

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4.07 avg rating — 855,060 ratings
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56

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3.98 avg rating — 159,847 ratings
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57

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3.89 avg rating — 216,454 ratings
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58

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4.34 avg rating — 1,217,305 ratings
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59

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3.92 avg rating — 11,857 ratings
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60

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3.90 avg rating — 30,301 ratings
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61

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4.06 avg rating — 152,612 ratings
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62

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4.13 avg rating — 253 ratings
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63

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3.71 avg rating — 10,205 ratings
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64

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3.66 avg rating — 3,920 ratings
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64

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3.82 avg rating — 2,760 ratings
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66

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3.92 avg rating — 118,362 ratings
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67

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3.86 avg rating — 83,242 ratings
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68

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4.47 avg rating — 153,746 ratings
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69

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4.09 avg rating — 234,489 ratings
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70

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4.20 avg rating — 90,289 ratings
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71

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4.50 avg rating — 31,916 ratings
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72

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4.10 avg rating — 54,207 ratings
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73

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3.87 avg rating — 30,415 ratings
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74

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4.04 avg rating — 44,634 ratings
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75

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3.97 avg rating — 142,797 ratings
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76

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3.79 avg rating — 111,473 ratings
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77

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3.82 avg rating — 63,271 ratings
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78

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3.96 avg rating — 2,648 ratings
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79

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4.14 avg rating — 431,278 ratings
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80

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3.80 avg rating — 189,525 ratings
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81

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4.17 avg rating — 97,455 ratings
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82

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4.04 avg rating — 11,640 ratings
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83

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4.35 avg rating — 164,960 ratings
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84

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3.32 avg rating — 361 ratings
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84

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4.52 avg rating — 27 ratings
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86

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4.35 avg rating — 4,494 ratings
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87

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3.94 avg rating — 107,728 ratings
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87

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4.22 avg rating — 26,759 ratings
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89

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3.85 avg rating — 59,731 ratings
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89

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4.35 avg rating — 420 ratings
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89

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4.08 avg rating — 261,331 ratings
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92

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4.41 avg rating — 277,825 ratings
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93

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3.87 avg rating — 26,116 ratings
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93

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4.46 avg rating — 97,121 ratings
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95

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3.89 avg rating — 97,520 ratings
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95

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it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating
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95

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4.17 avg rating — 116,788 ratings
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98

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3.86 avg rating — 13,914 ratings
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98

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4.07 avg rating — 4,788 ratings
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98

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4.13 avg rating — 437,745 ratings
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447 books · 285 voters · list created June 28th, 2011 by Kaye McSpadden (votes) .
85 likes · 
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.


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Lindsey 6768 books
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Judith 2229 books
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Comments Showing 1-9 of 9 (9 new)

dateUp arrow    newest »

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads I don't listen to audiobooks. Sorry!


message 2: by Marife (new)

Marife As somebody who works in academia, I find it tedious to read even more non-fiction work for pleasure. I recently discovered that audiobooks were a great way to enjoy them. It's just like sitting back and listening to an interesting lecture, and it's a great way to be entertained during my daily commute without straining my eyes.


message 3: by Kaye (new)

Kaye McSpadden Thanks for your comment, Marie. I totally agree! In fact, I find that listening to a really good, engrossing audiobook can be like watching a movie. I hope you will keep adding titles to this list as you come upon good ones.


message 4: by Lindsey (last edited Nov 09, 2012 08:06PM) (new)

Lindsey Removed The Time Keeper, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and For One More Day by Mitch Albom. Also Thirteen Reasons Why, The Things They Carried, The Woman in White, and The Blind Assassin. They are all fiction not nonfiction.


message 5: by Kaye (new)

Kaye McSpadden Lindsey wrote: "Removed The Time Keeper, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, and For One More Day by Mitch Albom. Also Thirteen Reasons Why, The Things They Carried, The Woman in White, and The Blind Assassin. The..."

Thank you, Lindsey! :)


message 6: by Post Hypnotic (new)

Post Hypnotic Press I love non-fiction audiobooks, too. I used to be a snob about audiobooks, but several years back I found myself stressed and exhausted and unable to find time to read. If I did find time, I was out like a light within a sentence or two. A friend recommended I try audiobooks, and although I'd resisted in the past, I was desperate so I gave them a try. I found, to my surprise, that not only did I really enjoy them, but I also find I retain more. I was so impressed, indeed, that I started researching audiobooks, quite my print publishing job, and launched Post Hypnotic Press. We've recorded nearly 50 books now, and over half our catalogue is non-fiction. So, I'm glad I'm not the only non-fiction lover out there!


message 7: by Kaye (new)

Kaye McSpadden How interesting! Thanks for your comment, Carlyn. :)


message 8: by Donna (new)

Donna Markell Since I had moved to a home that required a very long commute, I began listening to audio books. I had not listened to much non fiction but will be driving cross country and the person with whom I will be driving prefers this genre. I will rate after I listen. Thank you for your tips


message 9: by Kaye (new)

Kaye McSpadden Looking forward to hearing about your trip and what you listened to! :)


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