do you know what’s an absolute gift upon this crumbly planet? Audiobooks.
They are also thorough lifesavers and I will legit turn into a thankful, teary egg thinking about how much audiobooks have changed my life. (And no @ anyone saying audiobooks “don’t count as reading”. They do. Being read to is still the ACT of reading.) I’ve already listened to 8 audiobooks this year! That’s 8 out of 51 reads.
So today is basically just a huge
audiobook appreciation post!!!
I’ll also give you my favourite audio recs at the end because I am kind like that. I also can’t find photos I took of my headphones and audiobooks aghhhhhh. Someone pls tell me to label my photos better so I can find them again.
Top Ten Tuesday | audio freebie
1. I’m an auditory learner instead of a visual one, so audiobooks = lifesavers.
Which feels odd, because my life is literally BOOKS. Which are traditionally very visual things. But I’ve always found that I absorb and remember things that I hear better. (Ex: I was basically failing science in highschool until I had my textbook read out loud. Then I got As.)
So audiobooks are a giiiift to my brain. And look I’ll NEVER stop reading books with my little eyeballs — I love words on pages too — but audiobooks have got me through complicated high fantasy that I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy otherwise.
2. Which leads me to…audiobooks can make *huge* books less daunting.
Because I’m not holding 900 pages with my delicate wrists, thanks, sir. I wouldn’t have read Game of Thrones myself, ok? I just…I wouldn’t have. But audios meant I got through them and got super obsessed in a few months. AND THEN GOT LEFT ON A CLIFFHANGER THANKS, GRR MARTIN, YOU ARE SO UNFAI–
3. you can make them go super fast
Once I spent all day listening to an audio and then paused it while someone spoke to me. I was all: “Why are you speaking so slow???” Because I HAVE MY AUDIO ON AS FAST AS IT CAN GO.
I have three emotions and they are: confused, hungry, and fast. I like things to go fast.
(Also the faster the audiobook is, the less dramatic pauses or emotions the narrator can put in. 😂 Sorry but I want the story, not your feelings, dude.)
4. Multitasking!
Look, one day I’m going to go missing, and I request that someone come dig me out from under a pile of unread books that fell and crushed me. So audiobooks mean I can read + DO ALL THE THINGS. Exercise. Mindless jobs. Chores. Travelling. Pretending to sleep.
10/10 to attempting to read while sleep.
0/10 is good for you but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
5. have you met British narrators.
Like why would I listen to you when I could listen to Steve West reading The Scorpio Races or Strange the Dreamer. BEAUTIFUL VOICES ARE AUDIOBOOKS’ CROWN AND GLORY.
Also, I’m totally terrible but…I can’t stand Australian audiobooks narrators.😂 R.I.P my loyalty to my own country.
6. Dramatised audios are practically a movie in your head.
I wish there were more like Illuminae! It has sound affects and music and it’s the best thing ever. I grew up listening to the dramatised audios of Narnia too. (They had some “behind the scenes” section and apparently they all just tromped around in cornflour for the “snow” scenes hahaha.) Also full cast narrations? LOVE full casts.
7. Audiobooks can double as *your friend*.
AWWWW. THIS IS SO PATHETIC. But literally, if you’re lonely = audiobooks will talk for 10 hours straight in your ear and will not shut up. Perfect friendship.
8. I like them for rereading too!
Rereading on a different medium somehow makes me absorb the story better? And it keeps it fresh! Plus I can listen to an audiobook and keep reading physical books, so I don’t feel bad about rereads haha. For some reason I also like to know what’s coming in the audio? But I also don’t like listen to audios when there’s a brutal chapter-cliffhanger but I have to stop and then I cAN’T SKIM FASTER TO SEE IF MY FAVE LIVES. #suffering
9. You learn how to pronounce things.
Hi, I may or may not be able to pronounce anything. Ever. (I say LAS-AG-NA instead of lasagne. I legit pronounce the silent g. Leave me…just…just go.) Also this is super handy with fantasy names when you highly suspect an author has rolled their face on the keyboard for name inspiration.
Funniest things: when you go to write the review and are just spelling all the characters phonetically and dying inside. You should read my Game of Thrones reviews. I didn’t even GET CLOSE with any of the spellings, lmao. I got Jon tho. And Rob. Bless those two.
10. They provide so many comedic moments for you to laugh softly at or quietly die of shame.
Like shout out to that one time I was listening to Nevernight and accidentally pressed play without my headphones on. The audio proceeded to yell “…AND THE DEFLOWERING OF VIRGINS…” and my family turned very very slowly to look at me.
Also: when you crack up at a hilarious part while out on a walk. Hi yes *waves* nothing to see here, world.
Or: when you get so so into an audiobook and then someone taps you on the shoulder to ask you something and you jump FIVE MILES OUT OF YOUR SKIN. I nearly screamed, I swear. Don’t talk to me while someone is d y i n g because I am too.
But before you go! Let me give you some recommendations of my favourite audiobooks to try! I use Overdrive.com when I can, or I get them from audible (usually when I can sign up for half price haha).
omg Illuminae has full-cast + sound effects and the whole trilogy is brilliant! I’ve never even read Gemina/Obsidio with my eyes haha. I just flicked through for the illustrations.
Literally Steve West is just the best narrator ever. 10/10. This will make you want to live in Thisby and die in Thisby. Puck is narrated by Fiona Hardingham who I love too!
Again full cast! I love them ALL but Kaz and Nina’s narrators are my favourites (Jesper’s is actually to slow lmao thank goodness for 2x the speed).
I didn’t love TRC’s narrator at first…but he grew on me and now I can’t do anything but love them. 😍 Again, never read The Raven King with my eyes! Only audio!
BEST AUDIO. It’s done by Christian Coulson who is also Tom Riddle in Harry Potter, I think!? But like he just does Monty so well I CRY.
Two narrators and I actually genuinely teared up because they told the story so emotionally in places ajfdsakld. This book is my favourite too btw.
Epic fantasy = always better on audio for meeeeee. And this narrator was SO perfect for Locke. Love!!!
This is narrated by Lin Manuel-Miranda so I don’t need to say anymore. 10/10
This trilogy is (a) the best because HOLLY BLACK and also (b) they’re narrated by Jesse Eisenberg!!! He does Cassel perfectly.😍
Wait why am I recommending this. IT WILL MAKE YOU BAWL. Also the Scottish accents. 😭
just me announcing I’m trash for this series on every format lmao (I’ve read ebook, physical and audio). But such good narration!
STEVE WEST OK. Also Laini Taylor books are gorgeously lush with the prose and having them read out loud is a magical treat we all deserve. A+++++
do you listen to audiobooks very often? tell me your favourites! and do you like them for any of the same reasons as I listed??? or do you struggle to focus on listening?
Bless audiobooks and helping me get through daunting books. XD I’m listening to The Wise Man’s Fear rn and it is FORTY-TWO HOURS LONG. The very idea of hardcopy is terrifying. I keep seeing folks wield copies of Priory of the Orange Tree like large bludgeoning tools and all I can think is, “Yup, audiobook.”
omg yes to the daunting books. I wouldn’t have even touched Name of the Wind if I hadn’t tried the audio.😂I’m definitely going to do Priory by audio too ahahha.
Couldn’t agree more with those reasons! Number eight made me laugh XD I only read (listened to?) my first audiobook a few weeks ago. I had a two hour journey to make to work one morning and decided I’d try to listen to a book instead of my usual music. I was enthralled with The the tattooist of Auschwitz – I had it finished by the following day! Needless to say not much work was done when I had the story playing in my ears – my brain was busy visualizing the words rather than focusing on the code I was writing. But listening to books is brilliant for multitasking with things like driving or cooking! It’s great for me when I don’t have a whole pile of free time. The only downside to audiobooks is how expensive they are :/
It’s so amazing to discover them, right?! And it always feels like getting in *extra* reading while doing something else. Which I surely need with the size of my TBR. 😂
STEVE WEST. STEVE. WEST.
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HE’S SO GOOD. I don’t think I would have loved Strange the Dreamer as much as I did without his narration; he made Lazlo sound so warm, but also his version of Minya was so creepy? I think he might actually be a wizard.
Totally agree with you about re-reading! I love revisiting old favourites as audiobooks – Gail Carriger’s books are particularly fun for this.
omg I know right?! I basically want every other audiobook narrator to quit and just have Steve West do it all. He is perfect. (Also Minya was fascinatingly amazing. I’ve never actually read the books with my eyes! Only listened!)
Having severe M.E means I have to listen to audiobooks, my illness ridden brain won’t let me read anymore and it breaks my heart. But I am so so grateful for audiobooks cos I could not, would not, survive without books. Yes, there is nothing quite like the feel or the smell of a book (yes, hands up, I’m a book sniffer) but audiobooks keep me sane!
I’m so glad you have audiobooks too!! They’re invaluable and amazing and such open doors for people. 💛💛
I’ve always loved the idea of audio books, but my brain can zone completely out at the worst times and then I realise that I haven’t been listening to anything for about ten minutes. My brain also goes crazy so if I’m even a little distracted, my brain will pick up on it and fully throw me in a vat of distractions especially when I’m just listening to stuff. So as much as I would love to listen to audio books, my brain is all kinds of evil and will never let me
I definitely couldn’t just…SIt and listen.😂I have to be doing something as well haha.
I can’t listen to something without doing something as well. Unfortunately, trying to take notes out of a textbook and listening to a story doesn’t really work, so I mostly listen in the summer. I love listening when I can though! I am going to put Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe on my must listen to list for sure though.
I freaking love audiobooks. I also can’t stand Australian narrators. Whoops sorry own country 😂 But I also can not do strong American accents either and SO MANY audiobooks get cut from my list because of it 😭 Althpugh, weirdly enough, I am ok with them reading mystery’s and some contemporaries, but not fantasy. I don’t know why 🤷🏼♀️
omg I’m so glad I’m not alone 😂 sorry, Australia??? You are just…not good at narrating audios? (I wanted to listen to Bridge of Clay on audio and then realised Markus Zusak narrated and I’m like, nope. Bye. 😂)
I prefer British narrators to the American ones too.
To be fair, I’m mortified by my own Aussie accent too, which is why I hardly ever do unboxing videos with my actual voice in them 😂
same omg though. People are like “aw you must have such a nice accent” and I’m like…hmm sure, and we’ll never heard it reordered ever, thanks.😂😂
I FINALLY LISTENED TO AND FINISHED MY FIRST AUDIO BOOK RECENTLY!! *spartan poses*
And it was Illuminae. Everyone said it was amazing. I already loved Illuminae before hand. Got the audio. lOveD iT eVEN mOOooOOore!
The cast! The music! The sound effects (SPACE GO WOOOSH)! THAT AIDAN!!!!!!
It was Amaaaaaaaaaaaaazing! 10/10 to everyone who recommended it to me gently! (everyone screamed…. there was nothing gentle about it)
YES! THE MULTITASKING! I got so much stuff done WHILE having a book read to me?!? YES PLEASE! MORE!
Ooooooooo! The Scorpio Races would be such a good audio book. I want to die in Thisby! I’m gonna get that one I think. Am I ever going to get books I haven’t already read and loved on audio? Probably not. XD Now I want the Strange the Dreamer Audio!! AAAAAAAAAAAA! I need to read Muse anyway, so oBviOuSly I nEed tHE aUdIo BoOk!
Isn’t it just SO perfect?! Like Illuminae is literally a movie…just without the actual visuals. BUT SO MANY SOUND AFFECTS. I think I loved the audios even more than the books, which is saying something since the books are works of art. aHhhhhh.
The Scorpio Races as an audio is so whimsical I die. 😭😭
A big YES for White Cat. That was actually one of my first audiobooks YEARS ago. Jesse really did a great job with it. It started me on this journey of needing to listen to ALL THE AUDIOBOOKS.
RIGHT!? I loved them!!! They were some of the first audios I ever listened to too, and I still remember the entire trilogy so well, even years later.😂
I recently started listening to them because there was a book only available on Audible and my exact reaction – ahsjdkdhdjmhh what have I been doing my whole life? Why did I not discover audiobooks SOONER?! I SWEAR. Also out if the handful books I’ve listened to, I though DAISY JONES AND THE SIX was t h e b e s t!!!! And by the way I really love your writing! And also I cannot WAIT for THE BOY WHO STEALS HOUSES. And also, can you do something about making YOUR books into audiobooks because that would be awesome. :)))
This makes me so happy though that you discovered them!!! Also I’m seeing people talk about Daisy Jones everywhere and it makes me want to try it?!
(Audio rights unfortunately are solely for the publishers though to decide what to do with.😂I don’t think my books will ever sell enough to warrant audios, but I guess we can dream, right?!)
I never really audiobook because I can never focus and probably because the books I want to read don’t have the best narrators.
They…..Speak…..So….monotone.
I might give audiobooks a try in the future because reading a book everywhere is hard mostly when you can use your hands to hold the book. Definitely need to check out your recommended audiobooks because I still need to read some of this books SO THANK YOU.
omg see I’m the opposite and I like less emotion in narrators.😂Although SOMe narrators really are awful and I hate the “voices” they put on.😂 Just read plainly, people!
For most of my life, I have despised audio books because I get bored so quickly. I am a visual learner, and gosh I need that physical copy, but I’m not gonna lie, you’ve kinda convinced me to give audio books another try. WHO HAVE I BECOME???
If you’re actually DOING something while listening it can help too? Like instead of just sitting + listening. I wouldn’t be able to do that either.😂
Learning how to pronounce things is helpful, but I agree about the spelling. When I review audiobooks, I often have to check other reviews on Goodreads to see how the character’s names are spelled. I like audiobooks because I don’t get eyestrain when I listen to them. My eyes hurt all the time from reading so much.
I end up just reviewing like “and the protagonist…” trying to sound like an intellectual but really I listened to their name on 2 x the speed and have no idea what it is.😂
AudiobooksAudiobooks have saved me! I spend more than 6 hours a day at the lab for my bachelor thesis, and I’m the beggining I only listened to music or at my best times, watched timon and Pumba while in thr lab. I know, I am a kid inside 😂 Even though Pumba is my favourite, i knew I had to find something better to do! That’s when I decided to give Audiobooks a chance! Now, I listen to a new audio book every other day! I love them!
Ahh that’s so cool to hear how much audiobooks have helped you! And like it’s so good to get through books we otherwise wouldn’t have had time for, right?!
I don’t really listen to audiobooks very often, I remember listening to them on cassette tapes when I was younger (yes that does make me feel old!) but I would always read the physical book alongside them. I don’t know when I fell out of reading them, I just did, I think I just didn’t really know where to get audiobooks and I had so many physical books to read that I didn’t really think about them. I am trying to get back into them though, it’s one of my resolutions for this year, especially for the second reason on your list, I tend to avoid large books because I find them intimidating so I think audio might be helpful for the really big books that I want to read but am too scared to attempt. I think one of the reasons I’ve avoided audiobooks is that I like listening to music while I read, so music + physical book makes a good combination, music +audiobook you can’t quite do!
omg I have some Lemony Snicket books on cassette tape!! 😂 I will feel old with you hahah. And yeah audios help me with intimidating huge books SO much.
Learning how to pronounce things is definitely a benefit to listening to audio books.
My Top Ten Tuesday post.
It is most helpful!
AWWW I love this post so much!! I got into audiobooks when I started book blogging, and I think it’s absolutely wonderful for all the reasons you listed. It’s a perfect way to learn how to pronounce everything (except now I can’t spell ANYTHING). I love how easy they are to use, and just like you said, it keeps me company 🙂 ASDFGJKLDFSJ I definitely need to start listening to British narrators 😉
Yessss, SO MUCH AUDIO LOVE! Although yeah the downside is now we can SAY the names but we can’t spell them.😂
I had absolutely NO IDEA that some books had British narrators for them and I’m desperate now? Not that I can understand some British accents very well, because I just *fake* that I know English most of the time, but STILL. What better way to learn than by listening to an 8-hour-long audiobook of a British narrator? I’m so excited now, and I’ll for sure be searching for more accents now.
I am also lowkey wanting to re-read Six of Crows in audiobook now! I love the idea of different narrators to a book, because it really sounds like you’re reading from a completely different point of view. When you’re reading a physical book, it can get kinda blurred who you’re reading from, because not every author can do a distinct voice for each one of their characters, but when the narrators are different, it’s pretty easy to tell them apart. I don’t know, again, if my English skills would ever allow me to read Six of Crows in English though, because it’s one thing reading a blog post or a contemporary book; another one is diving into a very atmospheric and dense fantasy novel, but I think I would be fine since I’m already familiarized enough with the story.
Another thing I love about audiobooks – apart from the multitasking, because that is truly #1 – is that they’re not that expensive! I’ve had a Scribd subscription for a month now, and I’ve already listened to five books for only 9$. If I was to buy only one of them, I’ll for sure be paying much more than that. Granted, not every audiobook is available on Scribd, but it’s still worked as a pretty good deal for me, since apps like Libby wouldn’t work for me, not living with a library nearby.
Nonetheless, I completely agree with you that audiobooks need to be more hyped! I have just recently started to listen to them and I’m so in love! I didn’t think they would work for me, because I’ve always found that reading out loud was a bit cringeworthy, but the narrators make it sound pretty normal to me, lol. What’s really cringeworthy is reacting to the book and having people randomly stare at you, hahah.
I feel like having different narrators for books with multiple POVs is incredibly helpful to keep everyone separate! Like the way Six of Crows and Illuminae does it is AMAZING. But yeah, I get that it would be hard sometimes if the accent wasn’t familiar? But maybe rereading a book via audio might be the way to go?
Oh I should look into Scribd. I heard mixed things about it, like they don’t have newer audios? Because I love the new stuff.😂
Love this post so much. Audio books are a total heaven send and my mother was visually impaired, so she would’ve been completely lost without them. I get very cranky when people say they don’t count. LOL agree about British narrators – they are the literal best.
Thank you for this fantastic post. Your photos are amazing as always.
I get so mad when people argue that they’re “not reading” too…like?! No! Is braille not reading too?! Smh. Some people are so dismissive. I’m glad audiobooks were there for your mum!!
This is such a fantastic post, Cait and all of your arguments here just make me feel bad that I …. well… haven’t even tried audiobooks just yet?! I really, really should correct that right now I guess *runs and hides*
nooo don’t feel bad! But if you ever do want to try one, I have all the recs here. 😂
this post, oh my word, Cait, you’ve convinced me to try audiobooks. XD Do you use Audible for your books?
Yes! I use audible, but usually on a sale, so like I’ve currently got 3 months for half price, which is helpful.😂And Overdrive.com too!
Yes to every little bit of this post! Except to not liking Australian narrators. Cause that’s just wrong. 🙂
I feel so terribly unpatriotic admitting that about Aussie narrators.😂
Oooo, great list!! I am an avid audiobook listener and almost enjoy listening to audiobooks more than reading books.
Here’s a link to my TTT post: https://captivatedreader.blogspot.com/2019/03/top-ten-tuesday-audiobook-freebie-my.html?showComment=1553617757328#c4963295880076597634
eeep same!! Like nothing can replace the printed word for me, but also AUDIOS ARE SOO GOOD.
I just read my own feelings after u wrote this. I drive a long distance everyday and my audiobooks are my savior. I can’t tell u how important they are to my life and Overdrive is Free, also check out Hoopla but u probably already have. Here are a few of my favs. The Bookthief, The Seamstress, Orphans take, anything by Dorthea Benton Frank or JoJo Moyes.
Yessss I’m so glad we’re in agreement! Overdrive is amazing. I’m able to use Hoopla because of an American friend, otherwise it’s a bit frustrating that USA only.😂
OMG YES THANK YOU FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS!!! I recently got a library app so I can listen to audiobooks from my library and I’m SO EXCITED. The one I recently listened to was Pride by Ibi Zoboi and let me tell you, Cait, it was /so amazing./
Also, “I want the story not your feelings” CAIT I CHOKED. that was so hilariousss. I actually kind of like the dramatic pauses, but I also have been considering just listening to everything 2x speed just so I can read faster?? idk
omg I got given a copy of Pride, I need to get to it!! The physical though, not audio. Buuuut afjdklsad I love audios so mUCH (it’s hard to tell, I know 😂) but lmao I’m so terrible about emotions. Who has time for that. Just give me the INFO, PEOPLE.😂
I have an interesting relationship with audiobooks. I spend so much time driving to and from my university now that audiobooks let me read more than I ever would be able to otherwise. Also they make rush hour traffic much more bearable. Buuuuuut. I am most definitely not an audio learner. I struggle with audio learning so much. So even though I love the narrators and knowing how to pronounce the stuff, if it’s a more complex book I struggle remembering and understanding the storyline… so basically the opposite of what you said haha. Shrug!!
I totally get this! It’s like SO handy to have the extra reading time we otherwise wouldn’t get, but yeah if you’re not innately good with auditory learning, I can imagine it would be harder to enjoy them.
ALLLLLLL the time. They’ve helped my depression. Though I’m into more intense love/story books. Tge hotter the better. Just wish they were cheaper and all books came in audio form. I too listen while doing chores. About to start therapy for my back and I’ll def be listening to them when I can.
It helps so so much when you’re too tired/find it too hard to focus on words. Meeee when depression is bad too. I do wish they were cheaper though, agh, but does your local library have an Overdrive selection?
I have no clue if my library does. I’ve never even thought about it! I’m honestly going today to check. My town has maybe 7000 people so it’s possible it won’t but I’m intrigued to see if they do. 💜
I LOOOVE AUDIOBOOKS. I actually got into them because of Benedict Cumberbatch. Look, he’s a huge staple in my life. Most of the things I love I discovered because of him. HE’S ALSO ONE OF THE BEST AUDIOBOOK NARRATORS. Listening to that velvety voice can make me swoon all day. I am trash.
I eventually learned to listen to audiobooks NOT narrated by Cumberbatch and Illuminae is also a favorite. The production is just sooo good and I have a feeling I never would’ve understood the books as much if I just read them visually. I also love Sadie, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, The Afterlife of Holly Chase and Skyward.
I’m listening to Obsidio right now AND I’M NOT READY FOR ALL THE TEARS.
Look whatever works. NO judgement here.😂 I have legit picked up audios just because I love the narrator. Like I didn’t adore Ember in the Ashes when I tried it? BUT I since found out the narrator is Steve West, so I’m gonna read it again via audio.😂
I just got into audio books last year through Overdrive and wow I love it soooo much! I thought I wouldn’t because it felt cheating at first. Now? I totally add them as reads on Goodreads. Yes, to speed listening! Seriously, who likes dramatic pauses? And yes to learning (finally) how to pronounce words. But … so right … I have to google for to spell character names when writing my Goodread reviews 😂 my first audio book was Ender’s Shadow. I’ve listened to all of the Mazerunner books, plus tons of others. Right now I’m working my way through the Mistborn series, How to Train Your Dragon series, the Lunar Chronicles, and the Maisie Dobbs series.
keturahskorner.blogspot.com
It’s the funniest part when you go to write the review and you’re like, “the uh…main character…” instead of their name because WHAT IS THIER NAME.😂 And yes! I always feel awesome when I get through an audio because it’s reading time I otherwise wouldn’t have had!
a step by step recap of my feelings towards this post…..
okay: first assumption to this post was “I’ll read it because… ITS CAIT but like no way am I budging on the fact that I hate audios.”
I’m a really visual learner (like when remembering things I’ll try and picture my notes in my head 😂) so that’s a big part of why I hate them? But you do you, I think they do totally count as reading, even if I don’t read them.
Points 3+4 are…. almost c o n v i n c i n g me? THIS SHOULDNT. BE HAPPENING.
5 lol your loyalty has been ‘chucked on the barbie’ (omggg I sound so weird)
8th point – ooh I’m trying six of crows on audio now
AND NOW YOU PROVIDE ME WITH A HANDY DANDY LINK CAIT DAMN IT YOU’VE CONVINCED ME
im going to try, will be updating you as i go x
omg I’m kind of honoured I swayed your opinion here a little. 😂 I mean audios aren’t for everyone and that’s ok! But I also don’t just like SIT still and listen to them.😂That would drive me mad. I have to be doing aaaall the things.
I’m trying to read more audiobooks. I’m listening to Six of Crows right now. I mentioned on my post that one of the benefits of audiobooks was learning to pronounce things. I speak several languages, so most names don’t look like a keyboard smash to me, but I’ve still learned that I’ve butchered names before.
Yes!! the learning to pronounce things is so helpful sometimes. And I’m glad you’re listening to Six of Crows. 😍 it’s one of the best imo
Thanks for the recommendations! I want to get into audio books more but unfortunately I am a more visual person, like I tried reading The Scorpio Races on audio (I agree that that book has great narrators) and I wasn’t able to download the rest for some reason so months later I picked up the physical and realized I remembered nothing. Maybe one day I’ll do better with them, I truly hope I do. Also I recommend the Book Thief audiobook, that I actually retainer information from because the narrator just sounded so much like Death
All I read is via Audiobooks, enabled me to watch my children at the playground while still reading, cleaning the house etc, try doing that while thumbing a book. I used to never read and now read 50 + a year easy; makes behemoth books manageable too. Last year even read 83 books. Can I say enough about audio. I think not.
Audiobooks are an ENORMOUS blessing to me because I get super sick trying to read physical books in the car. I wouldn’t survive long trips without them! 😍
Amazing post! Also I CONVINCED MY LIBRARY TO GET A THOUSAND PERFECT NOTES AND NOW I GET TO READ IT AT LONG LAST AND I’M SOOOOO EXCITED!!!
*Settles in with a snack and takes notes on your recommendations* THIS WILL BE THE YEAR I GET INTO AUDIOBOOKS, I SWEAR.
Will Patton great narrator. Stephen King’s
“Mr Mercedes” is unforgettable.
Adding to my above comment….audio book listening while on long work commutes, while relaxing with adult coloring or when catching up on your “Words with Friends” games. Don’t listen when you are in bed.because you’ll fall asleep and lose your place. It’s a bitch backtracking.
Yes audio is my very existence
I’ve never completed an audiobook in its entirety, but I’m working on it! I listened to part of The Book Thief on audio after I couldn’t get into the physical book. Then after reading a nice chunk I started the physical book from page one and finished it! I’m trying to do something similar with a backlist NetGalley book that I’ve had no luck reading in a physical form, so we’ll see how it goes! I’m less than an hour in at the moment.
Also, I GOT TO HEAR CHRISTIAN COULSON READ A SECTION LIVE AT THE BOOK LAUNCH FOR THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE!! I feel super cool right now. And if there’s one thing you said that can get me to try another audiobook, it’s letting me know that there’s an audiobook that combines a favorite book with a favorite person. I need to listen to Aristotle and Dante ASAP!
I’m a big knitter and sewer and sometimes I draw too. Now I can read and enjoy my hobbies and not be pulled in two with the decision. I too like reading the long books on audio. Yes not carrying around that huge tome is a huge plus.
Best
Tonya
Audiobooks are brilliant. I used to listen to a lot, because my library had a subscription to overdrive, but unfortunately they replaced their overdrive subscription with a Borrowbox one, and it’s selection of audiobooks its much more limited.
I listened to Anna Karenina as an audiobook because I just couldn’t bear the thought of trying to read it. And I may or may not have once listened to a full cast version of Mansfield Park (which was so, so dull) just because it had Benedict Cumberbatch and David Tennant in it.
I love audiobooks for re-reading! In fact…that’s almost exclusively what I use audiobooks for. I can read much faster than any narrator can speak, no matter how much I speed it up, so I get too impatient to find out what happens to keep listening. 😛
Also I snort-laughed at the deflowering of virgins. Thank you. Needed that.
YES! I love audio books! So good to have when you have long commutes, or a lot of downtime but you can’t just sit and read. Also some of the narrators are amazing! The Illuminae files, I was blown away by them, I hope more follow suit!
I love the idea of audiobooks because then I can listen while I drive or do something else. But I’m super picky. I once listened to a Percy Jackson audio, and I could stand the voices that the narrator gave to Percy and Anabeth. But if an author doesn’t do voices or if it isn’t full casted, my brain doesn’t even pay attention especially if there are 500 bazillion different names and places. I do love a good narrator, though! Or audiobooks with full casts! One of my favorites is Neil Gaiman narrating his own Graveyard Book because he gives each character a different dialect/accent, and it’s great! (I also just love his voice,0 in general?) So maybe I need to pay attention to who’s narrating the audiobooks I pick up? British are the best, you say?
I’m actually fairly surprised that I’ve read quite a few of these on audio? I listened to the whole Raven cycle except the Raven King, and I listed to The Scorpio Races in Scotland. Excellent narrators. And I listened to the whole White Cat series on audio…in 2016 and remember about nothing but anyway. I’m currently listening to Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and the narrator is gr8!
I absolutely love audiobooks. Unfortunately I don’t listen to them as quickly as I purchase them but it’s so fun to hear the characters come to life.
I also just recently came across an audio book with a narrator whose voice I absolutely hated. I had to purchase a ebook copy of the book and read it instead 😑
Yes, the Curse Workers series is awesome on audiobook – Eisenberg does a brilliant job. I’m also a huge fan of the Diviners series on audio – January LaVoy is so talented!
British actors are actually the best!! 😍 I looove getting to multitask tho sometimes I get distracted. XD
I really like the audiobooks for Harry Potter. In my opinion, the best audiobook narrator is and will always be Jim Dale. With just a simple emphasis on a word, he can create powerful emotion that makes you think deeper than before.
i have TRIED the audiobook for the Scorpio races and tried the physical copy but couldn’t get into either. IDK WHY. But I re-read the raven cycle mostly on audiobooks and IT WAS FABULOUS. I loved it so much?? The experience was just GREAT though the narrator made Adam sound so STRANGE. and rip me, i was about to take out ari and dante from overdrive as an audiobook BUT GUESS WHAT. there wile 4000 people before me. i did the same with the evelyn hugo aduibook. THERE ARE 23 PEOPLE WHO HAVE IT ON HOLD. Holy,,,
It’s strange because I never thought I’d like audiobooks but I DO!! Everyone says they’re super quick to get through but audibooks take me almost twice as long as it does for me to physically read – and i feel like the odd one out. IDK.
I laughed out loud at 7, 9, and 10. I used to listen to audio books as I walked to work, I was constantly reacting verbally – laughs, gasps, oh no’s. I must have looked like a lunatic.
I frequently recommend audio books to students who want to red a book, but don’t have the time to. The audio book gives them the story while they work on other things, ride the bus, etc.
I FREAKIN LOVE AUDIOBOOKS. It frustrates me to no end when people claim that they aren’t “real” books. Like, Good Sir, please check yourself.
(i may have just shamelessly placed a hold on aristotle and dante audiobook because 1, aristotle is a fabulous name and 2, lin = life)
BRITISH NARRATORS ARE THE BEST. than again, I am American and we Americans are quite known for our British obsessions. 😛 I loved the audiobook Illusionarium for free, which is fabulous, but the book is amazing and Ben Cummins narrators PERFECTLY. I listened to it in one sitting. I also listened to the Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock audiobook all at once and I at first hated the narrator … but now I can only hear the book in his voice. 😉
I GREW UP ON THE NARNIA AUDIOBOOKS, TOO. Like, legit. Whenever we got in the car, my mom would put them on and my sister and I would 100% shut up (my then-baby-brother was a different story… lmao)
#7. 10/10 accurate no matter how sad
#8. I love getting a whole new experience of my favorite books!
Haven’t been around lately and I always love catching up on your posts!