Are there specific authors you recommend for listening to their books?

I am enjoying the L.A. Meyer series Bloody Jack. Listening has been great because the reader can do many accents! Also, the Brian Jacques books are wonderful for the same reason. Plus, he uses a full cast and the music and singing are wonderful. The jnet Evanovich books are very fun to listen to as are the Helen Fielding books.
And if you like Irish books, Maeve BInchy books are wonderful. She uses the same reader.

I read Maria V. Snyder's Study series before listening to it on audio. I prefer the audio for Magic Study and Fire Study. I felt that the first one (Poison Study) was not as enjoyable as a first-listen because the reader, Gabra Zackman, has not yet quite figured out who will have what voice in the big cast of characters. She has it down pat by the next two (and even does some excellent horse voices). So I recommend reading book 1 (Poison) and listening to 2 (Magic) and 3 (Fire).

Right now my hubby and I are both *hooked* on Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. The unabridged version is 52 hours long and the reader, Christopher Hurt, is just brilliant.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've also heard Janet Evanovich books are great listens.

I LOVE anything Larry McMurtry and John Irving. I prefer audio books with character development and heavy plots. Any more suggestions?

If you enjoy mysteries/thrillers, I have really enjoyed the Special Agent Pendergast books by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Some of them are read by Scott Brick, and others are read by Rene Auberjonois. Their most recent book just came out last month (Cemetery Dance) and I'm starting the audiobook on my way home today. Highly recommended!

Evanovich books are great! Too great! I can't even pick up a paper copy now!

Hilary wrote: "Thanks for the suggestions. I've also heard Janet Evanovich books are great listens.

I LOVE anything Larry McMurtry and John Irving. I prefer audio books with character development and heavy plot..."

I am a huge John Irving fan. If you like literary fiction then some titles that I thought were superb in audio are:

- A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini (The Kite Runner is also good)
- Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
- Peace Like a River - Leif Enger (this book reminded me so much of Irving's - A Prayer for Owen Meany. The audio is narrated by Chad Lowe and it is really exceptional)
- The Blood of Flowers - Anita Amirezvani (spelling?) - again the narrator has a rich husky voice that made this a wonderful listen
- In the Company of the Courtesan - Sarah Dunant
- The Boleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory - strong recording by 3 great narrators including Davina Porter

Ahh... so many books...