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The Best Recommendations for Audiobook Newbies
Longing to try an audiobook, but don't know where to start? We asked audiobook fans on Twitter and Facebook to give their best recommendations for "audio-curious" readers who have yet to take the plunge.
We picked the most highly rated titles (e.g. a four-star minimum on both Goodreads and Audible) from some of the most popular comments, including the ultimate fan favorite Born a Crime written and narrated by Trevor Noah. Be sure to add these to your Want to Read shelf, and let us know which audiobooks you're most excited to try.
Happy listening!
What audiobook would you recommend to an audiobook newbie? Let us know in the comments!
For more inspiration, check out the Goodreads' audiobooks page, brought to you by Audible.
Check out more recent blogs:
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For more inspiration, check out the Goodreads' audiobooks page, brought to you by Audible.
Check out more recent blogs:
20 Top Short Story Collections
24 of the Season's Highest-Rated Debuts
To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...
Comments Showing 101-123 of 123 (123 new)
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To Kill a Mockingbird read by Sissy SpacekBoys in the Boat
Unbroken
I had forgotten how great the narrator was in this one until I started it up again last night when I couldn't sleep.
An amazing listen is The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by A. Bradley. You won't be disappointed!
I would like to add:In Science Fiction: Artemis, the Bobiverse trilogy(We are legion, we are Bob is a must) and the Scalzi books, begginning in Old Man´s War
In Romance: the Tornian series (GRIM is my favorite all time), the Abduction series (Accidental Abduction is so fun ;))
In Fantasy: the Wheel of Time ;D and The Black Tower sagas
In Romance YA: Trickery (Curse of the Gods #1) is fun
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris. Jenny Colgan.
Preference in narrators varies. I find British male actors’ voices preferable to those of women.
Haven't seen this one yet, it was my favorite so far. "The Goldfinch" by Donna Tartt. The part read by David Pittu was wonderful! I wanted more. Others I liked " The Given Day" by Dennis Lehane, read by Michael Boatman and "The Inheritance of Loss" by Kiran Desai read by Meera Simhan and "The Signature of All Things" by Elizabeth Gilbert.
My recommendation is Burials Rites by Hanna Kent - the pronunciation of the Icelandic names and places make this a wonderful book to listen to.
I second many of these recommendations. My two favorites for imagining listening to around the fire due to the narrators being awesome:The Legend of Bagger Vance, narrated by Ronny Cox (Skip the terrible movie. As a non-golfer, the golf parts were interesting, but it's not really ABOUT golf ;-)
Cool Hand Luke, read by Mark Hammer (As good as the movie)
I’m new to audio books so where or how does one start and is it free?
The Night Circus by Erin Morganstern; Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann and People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks are great Audio books as different people speak for individuals.
Cindy wrote: "I’m new to audio books so where or how does one start and is it free?"I've recently discovered that my local library has a huge selection of audio books on CDs. That's the only free place I know.
Other than that, I get my audios at either Lifeway or Audible.com.
Happy listening!
Janine wrote: "The lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan was amazing."Listening to that right now!!
Cindy wrote: "I’m new to audio books so where or how does one start and is it free?"Audiobooks on the public domain are free. You can access these from https://librivox.org/. The other free option is from your local library. The subscription services I enjoy are Scribd, https://www.scribd.com/, and Audible. Scribd is $10/month and includes unlimited access to whatever audio and ebooks are available. Audible is more expensive, and you only get one book per month, but their unabridged selection is better. Also, Audible has daily deals, 30% discounts, and other sales.
If you want something for the entire family (car trip?) I highly recommend 1) Gregor the Overlander (series) by Suzanne Collins (pre-Hunger Games). Paul Boehmer is an exceptional narrator.
2)Artemis Fowl (series) by Eoin Colfer, as read by the brilliant Nathaniel Parker.
For adults I love:
1) Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin, read by Rosalyn Landor
2) The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (series) by Alexander McCall Smith, read beautifully by Lisette Lecat.
Cindy wrote: "I’m new to audio books so where or how does one start and is it free?"Definitely try your local library. I work at a public library and we have audiobooks available in CD format, as Playaway MP3 players, and online through the Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla apps. If you know anyone visually impaired there are also materials available through the Library for the Blind, which are mailed out in a simplified tech format. (All free of charge)
The very first audiobook that I was introduced to was Harry Dresden, and I must say I was not disappointed in the least. So check out The Dresden files by Jim butcher then a few of these.Codex Alera series- Jim butcher
A Throne of Court and Roses series - Sarah J. Maas
Throne of Glass series - Sarah J Maas
Legend of Drizzt - R.A. Salvatore
The Nevernight Chronicles-Jay Kristoff
Mercy Thompson series- Patricia Briggs
Ilona Andrews (just any series is awesome)
October Daye - Seanan McGuire
Brimstone Angels - Erin M Evans
Val wrote: "Red Rising by Pierce Brown"Great books & a new one out at the moment!
Anything narrated by Theresa Plummer or Nicole Poole is usually a good bet. They are both awesome and I haven't listened to a book they've done that wasn't good.
The series of cosy mysteries The n°1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith is really good to listen to, too.
I would also suggest "Da Vinci in Love": Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Da-Vinci-i...
iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/...
Next on my list. I've been reading good reviews about it. Right now I'm listening to