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Post by Rosie on Oct 14, 2021 21:12:08 GMT 10
The pandemic saw me walking to work last year (obviously outside mandatory stay at home orders!), and I finally got into audiobooks. I'd never had the patience with them before, but I found I needed the distraction and now I'm a total convert.
When I'm highly stressed, I like to listen to familiar content - Rosamund Pike reading Pride & Prejudice, or Juliet Stevenson reading Persuasion & Emma. I also discovered that Neil Gaiman is a great narrator for his own works, which was a delightful surprise.
But, I've discovered a lot of new content this way, too, and made my way through Stephen Fry's Greek trilogy (Mythos was my favourite, but I mostly love how seamlessly he incorporated footnotes), Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy (if you haven't read this yet, I thoroughly recommend it, Vasya is a delightful protagonist and the backdrop of 12th century fairytale Russia is mesmerising), and a few Agatha Christie books (I felt wonderfully smug through The Murder of Roger Ackroyd and then realised I got the wrong target).
Any audio-recommendations? Do you prefer new or familiar material? Do you like to hear authors narrate their own works?
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oskarshai
Message Runner
Justice for Mammoth
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Post by oskarshai on Oct 15, 2021 6:20:07 GMT 10
I'm actually a huge fan of audio dramas moreso than audiobooks, although I like audiobooks too I grew up listening to the original Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy audio drama, the Star Wars audio drama where Mark Hamill reprised the role of Luke, and the Lord of the Rings audio drama in which Ian Holm (Bilbo in the films) played Frodo. I love listening to all of them, especially when I'm not feeling well, because they're very nostalgic and familiar as well as being entertaining without requiring me to keep my eyes open (lol). My favorite actual audiobooks would have to be Grover Gardner reading the Vorkosigan Saga, which is my immediate family's favorite book series and which I also grew up listening to, mostly on road trips. The books are excellent and his performance is very lively and memorable.
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Post by Rosie on Oct 15, 2021 19:11:53 GMT 10
Ooh, thanks for the tip, I will definitely try out audio dramas! I'm finding the current book I'm listening to a bit of a slog, so I could use something to change it up. Hitchhiker's Guide sounds right up my street.
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Post by devilinthedetails on Oct 18, 2021 2:31:37 GMT 10
I am a big audiobook listener at this point. I listen on my commute, when I'm exercising, and when I'm doing household chores. I tend to listen to more than one audiobook at any given time for variety's sake (same as I tend to read multiple books at once). I enjoy both listening to new books that I haven't read before and listening to audiobook versions that I've read before. Both can be very rewarding, since sometimes hearing a book read can add something to the tone or the atmosphere or the experience, and sometimes a great audiobook can make me want to read the book in print. So there are a fair number of books that I now own both audio and print/digital versions of since I like to have access to both formats.
The most important criteria for me is probably the narrator. I just can't stand to be read a book by someone whose voice gets on my nerves or doesn't work with the text/story. At that point, I would just rather read the book myself. I need the narrator to add a special flair or interpretation. Something I wouldn't get out of reading the book myself. Something that makes it a unique experience to listen to the book.
Some recommended listens:
-The Deep by Alma Katsu, narrated by Jane Collingwood-It is a horror story set aboard the Titanic with some spooky Irish lore and a twisted love triangle thrown in for fun. Katsu is a skilled writer when it comes to creating an eerie atmosphere, and the narrator brought a nice Irish accent to the story. I just finished this one and found it to be a good, chilling October listen. My biggest critique would be the ending is a bit rushed, but overall I really enjoyed the listen.
-The Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series by Tad Williams, narrated by Andrew Wincott-I really love Tad's world building, prose, and characters, and Andrew Wincott provides some stellar narration that can sound appropriately weighty and ominous as needed. It's a series that inspired the A Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones but has the virtue of actually being finished. In addition to Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, there is also a novella (also narrated by Andrew Wincott) set in the same world called The Heart of What Was Lost that is also by Tad Williams and two books in a sequel series entitled The Witchwood Crown and The Empire of Grass. Also, an upcoming novella called Brothers of the Wind that is something of a prequel to the Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn series (though a prequel set centuries before). The books that aren't novellas are doorstoppers so getting through these titles will take some time and listening. Which can kind of be nice.
-The Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy (The Summer Queen, The Winter Crown, The Autumn Throne) by Elizabeth Chadwick, narrated by Katie Scarfe-An excellent series by Elizabeth Chadwick that brings the indomitable spirt and political acumen of Eleanor of Aquitaine to life that is also graced with some wonderful narration by Katie Scarfe. Highly recommended to my fellow historical fiction fans.
The Magnolia Sword by Sherry Thomas, narrated by Emily Woo Zeller-Nice take on the Mulan story and pleasant narration with authentic Chinese pronunciation.
A Break With Charity by Ann Rinaldi, narrated by Laura Hicks-A YA historical fiction novel focusing on the Salem Witch Trials. A good October listen.
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik, narrated by Lisa Flanagan-A compelling retelling of Rumpelstiltskin with excellent narration. A highly recommended winter time listen.
The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay, narrated by Euan Morton-Historical fantasy set in an analogue to medieval Spain. Lyrical prose, vivid world building, and some of Kay's best characters. Strong narration as well.
An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo, narrated by Joy Harjo-A stunning volume of poetry by the first Native American Poet Laurette of the United States and narrated by herself. A powerful listen.
The Liar's Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard, narrated by Alana Kerr Collins, et. al.-A suspense/thriller set in Dublin. Tense and narrated with great Irish accents.
The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay, narrated by Holter Graham-Basically, historical fantasy about the equivalent of Vikings and King Alfred the Great era England. Kay's trademark prose and world building with some top tier narration.
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent, narrated by Morven Christie-A chilling historical fiction focusing on the story of the last woman to be executed in Iceland. Set in stark nineteenth century Iceland, a perfect, eerie listen for winter nights. Just very haunting and poignant with a well-chosen narrator.
Children of Earth and Sky by Guy Gavriel Kay, narrated by Simon Vance and A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay, narrated by Simon Vance-Historical fantasy take on Ottoman Empire and city-state era Italy. Simon Vance provides top tier narration and Kay some amazingly beautiful prose.
What is a Girl Worth? by Rachael Denhollander, narrated by Rachael Denhollander-Nonfiction book about Rachael's experiences with Larry Nassar and sexual abuse in USA Gymnastics. A painful listen but an important one, and Rachael's voice gives her story extra power and punch.
I am also currently listening to Macbeth: A Novel by A.J. Hartley and David Hewson, narrated by Alan Cuming, and it really fleshes out a lot of the backstory and relationships in Macbeth plus has a narrator with a great Scottish accent. I think it is a cool October/Halloween listen.
I've also enjoyed listening to Shakespeare plays like Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, and the Tempest. And some classics like Dracula and Agatha Christie stories like Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None.
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Post by Lisa on Oct 30, 2021 1:28:12 GMT 10
Audiobooks are my comfort reading, and I usually listen to them while driving/traveling, showering, doing dishes, or while working (so I need something I can miss a chunk of without having to rewind). Therefore I tend to go with familiar books I've read before. I'm especially prone to classics, like Jane Austen or Tolstoy, or favorite authors - Sharon Shinn, Connie Willis, Leigh Bardugo, Terry Pratchett, and occasionally Tamora Pierce. (I actually don't listen to her much because my favorites are all on CD and I don't have a cd player anymore, lol. I'm too stubborn to buy digital copies, but I really should re-purchase the full cast audio books at some point.)
I find that listening to a story really changes the way I interpret the information, and I discover little details I missed before (or, in fantasy, words I was reading incorrectly due to mild dyslexia).
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Post by devilinthedetails on Dec 13, 2021 1:53:53 GMT 10
A good winter listen is The Bear and the Nightingle written by Katherine Arden and narrated by Kathleen Gatti. Very atmospheric winter read with a medieval Russian feel and some fascinating connections to Russian folklore and legends. I finished listening to it a couple of days ago and was blown away. An excellent winter story that will make you feel the cold.
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Post by MythicMistress on Apr 4, 2023 2:41:05 GMT 10
I only just started listening to audiobooks (well, "started listening to" as in I'm about one hour into my first one as of this writing). I went for familiar material so I wouldn't have to worry about losing my place to background noise or distraction. I am enjoying myself, but that may be because Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief is an old favorite of mine.
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