Audiobooks discussion

I've gotten into audiobooks just in the past year and would love recommendations for books where you feel like the narration added something really special compared to reading it. For example, I adore Jonathan Cecil narrating any P.G. Wodehouse book, and I always miss it whenever I'm reading a Wodehouse book in print.

Lord of the Rings narrated by Rob Ingliss and the Harry Potter series narrated by Jim Dale. Nowadays, many have different voices in their heads for these books due to the movies, but it's a wonderful and even astounding experience to hear a single person create all the voices.

Daisy Jones & The Six is always the first one that comes to mind for me. Listening to it added so much to the experience. I think Taylor Jenkins Reid's books in general lend themselves well to audio, but this one in particular is just better narrated.

I was just thinking about that today. I am enjoying Miss Benson’s Beetle. I am sure the characters wouldn’t have been so funny read by me in print. Another great audio is Born a Crime where Trevor Noah does lots of voices and accents. The Martian was also great. (Sorry, on phone so can’t link books)

There's too many to list!

The Dutch House - Tom Hanks is the narrator

Contrarius wrote: "There's too many to list!"

C'mon, you can't think of one or two that really stood out for you?

I loved Born A Crime by TrevorNoah .
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
GREAT Audiobooks
Green lights by Matthew McConaughy

The Chet and Bernie mysteries read by Jim Frangione
The Bloody Jack series read by Katherine Kellgren

The Eve Dallas/In Death series by J.D. Robb, read by Susan Erikson.

The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearn narrated by Luke Daniels. I personally hated the last book in the series, but Luke Daniels and his voice for Oberon pulled me into the series and kept me listening even through the last book.

Molly Harper's Half-Moon Hollow series narrated by Amanda Ronconi. Also her Mystic Bayou, Southern Eclectic, Naked Werewolf, and Jane Jameson (sometimes considered as part of Half-Moon Hollow) series. These are all such a hoot.

I don't enjoy the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum books when I read them, but they are so cleverly narrated that they make perfect road trip listens.

I disliked Exit A by Anthony Swofford, but loved the audio book read by John Slattery. Same thing with The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta, but when I listened to Campbell Scott read it, I really enjoyed it.

I prefer to listen to "essay" style books read by the author. Almost anything by David Sedaris, Mary Roach, Sarah Vowell, and recently The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green.

The Peter Grant/Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holbrook Smith.

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys narrated by Lenny Henry--Gaiman says he heard Lenny Henry's voice in his head as he wrote it.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline narrated by Wil Wheaton... love the story and narration.

The dresden files by Jim Butcher narrated by James Marsters (improves after book 3 or 4)

Any Guy Gavriel Kay book narrated by Simon Vance!

Jeanie wrote: "Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys narrated by Lenny Henry--Gaiman says he heard Lenny Henry's voice in his head..."

Henry does narrate that book perfectly! On that subject, I could listen to Gaiman himself read anything. Beautiful reading voice and inflection.

i'm listening to The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life right now - the majority is narrated by Ken Jennings; but Alex Trebek narrated a couple chapters here and there that are significant/important to him (like him meeting/marrying his wife).

I also remember listening to an Ellen Degeneres memoir - and she had a chapter dedicated to audiobook listeners - which was mostly just her making random sounds - but it made me laugh

Jeanie wrote: "The Peter Grant/Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch narrated by Kobna Holbrook Smith.

Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys narrated by Lenny Henry--Gaiman says he heard Lenny Henry's voice in his head..."

Yes to Wil Wheaton and Simon Vance !

I would second the Jeeves and Wooster books, they saved my sanity back in 2004 when I first started listening, laughed so much. It helped me to turn off the tv and listen to them instead.

Jim Dale's Harry Potter is the one that sealed the deal with audio for me. Have listened multiple times.

I agree that Simon Vance is a wonderful narrator, Temeraire series was absolutely fantastic.

I adore the Redwall books, the author Brian Jacques narrates and then a cast of characters enacts all the mice, squirrels, foxes and badgers. They even sing songs. Yes they are more for younger children but it feels like I am in school again with the teacher reading to me, a nice escape.

Thanks so much for these great ideas, everyone! I put a bunch on hold at the library.

Another one I just thought of is In an Instant. The narrator is able to capture a lot of emotion in her voice and it was a much better story than I expected. Definitely recommend the audio of this one.

Definitely the First Law books by Joe Abercrombie. The reader is Steven Pacey, and British actor, and I cannot believe how many voices this man has. His acting is top notch as well. The best audiobook reader in the business for my money. He's amazing.

The John Ceepak series by Chris grabenstein. The narration makes this wonderful.

Books where the narration really added something....A Gentleman in Moscow and Rules of Civility. Different books, different narrators but perfect for each book. The Power by Naomi Alderman, great narration, interesting book. Animal farm-it's included and great narration read the way it should be. Clap When You Land-just wow. The Secret History. The author reads it just as it is supposed to be read. The Dutch House of course.

Daisy Jones & The Six is the first one that comes to mind. It's a better way to experience this book.

Project Hail Mary, Sadie & Daisy Jones and the Six (my trinity audiobooks)

More Than Evil not only has a great narrator in Sky Soliel but it has a 3D soundscape full of sound effects and music. It’s straight up horror and non-stop action.
A movie for your ears. See link.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09H7S...

jasmine ｡･:*˚:✧｡ wrote: "Project Hail Mary, Sadie & Daisy Jones and the Six (my trinity audiobooks)"

O yes, Project Hail Mary, definitely! It's a great book, but with the narration, was such a lovely experience.

I just compared books with you and we have some very similar tastes. I think you would enjoy anything read by Humphrey Bower which would include all the Bryce Courtenay books, Shantaram and Schindler's List. He's stellar. His voice reminds me of a friends comment about Elvis Presley who said - almost all songs would be improved if Elvis sang them. My friend may have been on to something there. :-)

Absolutely Skyward by Brandon Sanderson. The narrator is fantastic, and I love that she gives M-Bot a Scottish accent - a perfect choice, and I can't hear it any other way now.

So far, I really liked the Six of Crows audiobook. Six different voice actors is risky, but I think it was the best way the audiobook could've went.

One I forgot to mention was the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, the narrator Lisette Le Cat does such a wonderful job of making you feel like you are sitting next to Mme Ramotswe as she tells the tales. Great series, really takes you to her homeland.

best audible experience I think - Only Child. It's about a kid's experience during school shooting, and his trauma after. And the narrator Kivlighan de Montebello (who is a kid himself, with a perfect voice) did an excellent job getting in character. Also not a spoiler, but as part of the PTSD the main character kept hearing the shootings in his head for many many months after, and the audiobook made it so real, just random "bang bang bang" every now and then. Was very impactful and traumatic I must say.

I recently listened to Double Blind by Edward St. Aubyn, narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch - what a great job he does in reading the audio!

Timothy West does an outstanding job with Anything Trollope's classic novels!

Since it's been a couple years since I wrote my original post, I have to add that I think Kevin Free does an amazing job with the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells. And yeah, I definitely listened to Double Blind just to hear Benedict Cumberbatch. :) I do like Trollope, so I will have to check out Timothy West, thanks!

I think that there is something really special about audiobooks that are narrated by the author. I could listen to Neil Gaiman narrate all day everyday. I have read and listened to a bunch of his books and have found that listining to them brings a whole new layer of magic to them.

Nina wrote: "Since it's been a couple years since I wrote my original post, I have to add that I think Kevin Free does an amazing job with the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells. And yeah, I definitely li..."

Yes, I doubt I would have enjoyed them as much in print.

Bahni Turpin's narration of "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi truly made the book for me. It makes me want to read all books narrated by Turpin.

Any memoir read by the author. I’d rather listen to their stories in their voice than read it on the page.

Just finished Demon Copperhead. The accent and intonation of the narrator really contributed to the sense of place.

Erica wrote: "Bahni Turpin's narration of "You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty" by Akwaeke Emezi truly made the book for me. It makes me want to read all books narrated by Turpin.
Totally agree. Another good narrator is Travis Gilbert.

Young Mungo & also Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stewart. The narration of both are fantastic - takes you right to Glasgow.

The Library at Mount Char.
Fantastic narration. I mostly listen to audiobooks, and finish about 60 / year. I listened to this a couple years ago and it is still near the top of my mind. The Library at Mount Char

The Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel and narrated by Ben Miles - he does a fabulous job! I enjoyed these in audio much more than in print.

Sailor's Heart - Martin Campbell
I would suggest that the authentic Scottish accent adds significantly to the story being told in this audiobook.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...

I Recommend: You - Caroline Kepnes
“Have you ever fallen so deeply in love with someone that you would do anything to have them by your side?” This is the question that permeates every page of Caroline Kepnes’ book “You,” a work that takes us into the disturbing and fascinating world of Joe Goldberg, a man who becomes obsessed with Guinevere Beck and is willing to do whatever it takes to have her.
I've written a Review about the book, if you wanna have an idea:
https://oredatorb.blogspot.com/2024/0...

I Recommend: Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown
it's an exciting adventure that combines suspense, mystery, and history in an engaging way. Symbolism professor Robert Langdon is thrust into a frantic journey when called to investigate a murder linked to the ancient Illuminati Brotherhood. With a plot full of twists and intrigue, Langdon and his partner, Vittoria Vetra, delve into the secretive world of the Vatican, racing against time to stop a sinister plan of destruction. The book captivates with its ability to blend historical facts with fiction, offering a fascinating and immersive narrative. The characters are captivating and well-developed, taking the reader on a journey through the streets of Rome and the dark corridors of ancient churches. "Angels and Demons" is an exhilarating read that stays with you long after it's finished, ensuring a memorable experience for anyone who ventures into its pages.
I've written a Review about the book, if you wanna have an idea:
https://oredatorb.blogspot.com/2024/0...

For me, listening to Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood read by Trevor Noah was super special. So much of his story is about language and communication and crossing barriers, and hearing all of this in his voice was truly incomparable to just reading it.

Also, Tell Me I’m Worthless - the performance of this book was SPECTACULAR. Definitely the subject matter is not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but this was a complete immersion to me to listen to.