Name your top 3 favorite AudioBooks---GO!

[Hilary]

I really enjoyed The Help, anything by Sophie Kinsella and Shantaram (although it took me forever!)

[Bill (Just a)]

John, I listened to "Sharp Edges err Objects". It was a bit sharp. Is "Gone Girl" better or worse? I give "Sharp Edges" a solid 3 stars.

Linda, "Outlander" didn't do it for me. I didn't pursue the series. It sure seems to resonate with lots of others. Not to add to the war in other parts of the Goodreads universe but for me maybe it was the romance. I did like the ghost at the beginning though.

Hilary, ditto "The Help". Just liked that book on so many levels. I would have left out the one part that seems to grab everyone's attention though.

[Janice]

Forney_bill wrote: "John, I listened to "Sharp Edges". It was a bit sharp. Is "Gone Girl" better or worse? I give "Sharp Edges" a solid 3 stars."

Do you mean Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn?

[John, Moderator]

I feel Sharp Objects is Flynn's best book.

[Jeanie]

Cherie wrote: "Paul wrote: "Cherie wrote: "I don't think I can give up on Simon Vance."

You shouldn't. He's brilliant: one of the gold-standard narrators. So too is Tull, whose only weakness is in American voic..."

I'm a huge fan of Patrick Tull reading the Aubrey/Maturin series, but I wouldn't recommend anyone switch after reading and enjoying Vance's narration--it would feel like losing the "real" characters as you've come to think of them. But anyone who hasn't started the series should seriously consider the Tull version.

If you also like fantasy, Simon Vance narrates a series described as Aubrey/Maturin meets Dragonriders of Pern--and it really is exactly like that! The Temeraire series covers the same time frame as Aubrey/Maturin except that in addition to naval and ground troops there is an air corps in this alternate history--using dragons. After reading about how Jack Aubrey felt about his ship and the sea, it made the main character's accidental imprinting of a dragon and therefore forcible removal from the Navy quite poignant.

[Bill (Just a)]

Janice wrote: "Forney_bill wrote: "John, I listened to "Sharp Edges". It was a bit sharp. Is "Gone Girl" better or worse? I give "Sharp Edges" a solid 3 stars."

Do you mean Sharp Objects by Gilli..."

Yep. Madcow.

[Bill (Just a)]

John wrote: "I feel Sharp Objects is Flynn's best book."

Thanks. I think I will wait on "Gone Girl" then.

[Robin P]

About the Temeraire series by Naomi Novik, I adore them, especially since Will Laurence is much like Jack Aubrey in the air. I have read 5 of them on paper and just bought my first audio when it was on sale recently, it's volume 6 or 7. My concern is that in the 5 minutes of the sample, the dragon doesn't speak, I wanted to know what the dragon sounds like. I've run into that with other books as well, that the sample is an introduction that doesn't have the main characters in it. Or there are multiple narrators and the sample one is ok, but I dislike a later one. However, between the sample and the reviews I usually feel like I have a pretty good idea if I'll like it. Mostly the books I haven't liked weren't because of the reader.

I agree that it's not good to switch readers if you enjoy a series, occasionally I had to do that when I used to get books from the library and only certain ones were available, it was very annoying, kind of like if a TV series changed actors in the middle.

[CatBookMom]

Linda wrote: "Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold and Frederica by Georgette Heyet"

Love your choices! I'm a new fan of G. Heyer's Regency fun, and a slow, slow reader of Gabaldon; but I re-listen to the Vorkosigan books at least annually. I love Grover Gardner.

[Ions]

American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Name of the Wind and A Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss

I've listened to these books at least 6 times in the last 2.5 years

[Cherie]

Jeanie wrote: "If you also like fantasy, Simon Vance narrates a series described as Aubrey/Maturin meets Dragonriders of Pern--and it really is exactly like that! The Temeraire series covers the same time frame as Aubrey/Maturin except that in addition to naval and ground troops there is an air corps in this alternate history--using dragons. After reading about how Jack Aubrey felt about his ship and the sea, it made the main character's accidental imprinting of a dragon and therefore forcible removal from the Navy quite poignant..."

Thank you, Jeanie! I loved the Dragons of Pern books and read them to death. I will look up The Temeraire books when I get a chance.

[Margaret]

Name of the author for "The Temeriare series', please? Sounds good.

[Leslie]

Margaret wrote: "Name of the author for "The Temeriare series', please? Sounds good."

And/or link please...

[Robin P]

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik is the first book in the series.

[Leslie]

Thanks Robin!

[Jeanie]

Ions wrote: "American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Name of the Wind and A Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss

I've listened to these books at least 6 times in the last 2.5 years"

If you haven't already read it, I recommend "anansi Boys" which is a sort of follow-up to "
American Gods"--but lighter and funnier! I loved Lenny Henry's narration of this and found the ending so very charming.

[Margaret]

Thank you. Robin. I'll check the library. If the library doesn't have it I'll try Audible.

[Anna]

Jeanie wrote: "Ions wrote: "American Gods - Neil Gaiman

Name of the Wind and A Wise Man's Fear - Patrick Rothfuss

I've listened to these books at least 6 times in the last 2.5 years"

If you haven't already re..."

I second "Anansi Boys!" Lenny Henry does an awesome job narrating this book!

[Hunchback Jack]

I third it. It's a good story, and the narration is excellent.

HBJ

[Ions]

I keep meaning to check anansi boys out! I'll do it this year for my challenge!

I always had a hard time trying to start it after American Gods. my brain is so fixed on Shadow and his adventure I can't get into the story... which is pretty unfair.

also, if you haven't yet, checkout The Monarch and the Glen. it's a short story which can be found in the Fragile Things audiobook

[Donna]

I don't think I can limit it to 3, but here goes:
The Help
The Rosie Project
anything by Stephen King

With a nod to The Martian, The Snow Child, Alas, Babylon and The Dog Stars.

[Barbara (Bahberanne)]

I'm totally in love with Louise Penny's Three Pines mystery series read by Ralph Cosham. Oh Ralph, I'd listen to you read a grocery list.

EB White read Charlotte's Web is also wonderful.

[Sara]

"Shantaram", "A Fine Balance" and also "In the Shadow of Banyans" were truly enjoyable listening experiences for me.

[Bill (Just a)]

I guess top 3 are:


1. Millennium Series
2. Team of Rivals
3. The Help

But I really like the Dresden Files. Who would have thought that Spike would not only be a great vampire but also a great narrator. I almost put Dresden number 3 till I looked up and saw Donna's list.

[Mmanchan]

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN--Lionel shriver
Gone Girl--Gillian Flynn
House Rules--Jodi Picoult

[Mel]

Alan wrote: "John wrote: "Muller's reading remains my all-time, number one favorite audiobook..."

Hi Big John,

Based on yours and Holly's recommendations, I went hunting for the old audiocassette version narr..."

John: Thank you for audio information RE: Motherless..

[Shannon]

I decided to try to pick three that have not already been listed.

Push by Saphire (not one for young ears)


(ooh, now it gets harder because lots of good ones have already been listed).

For running I quite enjoyed listening to Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen and it helped me to remember the joy of running.

And for kids I really enjoyed White Crane It wasn't exceptional but it was good and had no crazy voices that can drive you nuts in kids books.

[Scott S.]

Shannon wrote: "For running I quite enjoyed listening to Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen and it..."

Woooo! That was my recommendation. lol

[Barbara]

I find it too hard for me to limit just to three, but here are three of my most recent listened-to favorites: The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat (Edward Kelsey Moore) Cold Mountain (Charles Frazier), Can't Wait to Get to Heaven (Fannie Flagg)

And if I can cheat just a little more- ok, a LOT even- anything by Mary Kay Andrews, Sarah Addison Allen, John Grisham :-)

[Carole]

I just wanted to say thank you for this thread! I listened to A Grown-up Kind of Pretty and will soon be listening to We Have to Talk About Kevin because of this thread.

[Cathy]

Too many to name! Here's what comes to mind immediately:

Dune - the printed book was mesmerizing, but the audiobook took over my life.
The Help - the story was good if predictable, but the cast made it come alive.
Brideshead Revisited - brilliant book made richer with the superb reading by Jeremy Irons.

[John, Moderator]

Chiming in to second the Jeremy Irons recommendation.

[Sue]

1. The Martian The Martian (most recent - edge of my seat!)

2. The End of the Affair The End of the Affair (narrated by Colin Firth. COLIN FIRTH, people)

3. Snow Hunters Snow Hunters (Mesmerizing, quiet, poetic beauty)

[John, Moderator]

Firth's narration couldn't save all that Catholic angst from boring me.

[Robin P]

John wrote: "Firth's narration couldn't save all that Catholic angst from boring me."

I agree, he was too good for the material.

[Cathy]

Sue wrote: "1. The Martian The Martian (most recent - edge of my seat!)

2. The End of the Affair The End of the Affair (narrated by Colin Firth. COLIN FIRTH, people)

It's hard these days to realize how deeply felt and influential religion was to so many people only a hundred years ago. All the Catholic angst seems hard to fathom today.

[Kristie]

Robin wrote: "John wrote: "Firth's narration couldn't save all that Catholic angst from boring me."

I agree, he was too good for the material."

I agree that Firth couldn't save the book. For me it was beyond the Catholic angst and that the book was ALL angst. No emotional relief whatsoever. Ugh. But I'd love to hear Firth narrate a better book sometime.

[Sue]

I'm a sucker for some good angst, Catholic or otherwise. Firth could read the phone book to me and I'd probably give it 5 stars!

Kristie wrote: "Robin wrote: "John wrote: "Firth's narration couldn't save all that Catholic angst from boring me."

I agree, he was too good for the material."

I agree that Firth couldn't save the book. For me i..."

[Nancy]

My three (non series)...
Room by Emma Donoghue (one of my firsts and it still haunts me. Disturbing? yes. But fascinating).

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly (cliche but entertaining slick lawyer)

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella (I usually don't like chick lit but this one cracked me up)

[Ann]

Its really hard to name just 3
The Power of One by Bryce Courtney
Rivers of London series (midnight riot in the US) by Ben Aaronovitch
Stephen Fry's autobiographies

[Nancy]

The Goldfinch, The Goldfinch, and The Goldfinch.

[Nancy]

By David Pittu.

[David]

"The Lord of the Rings" has to be top on my list. The narrator does an amazing job with this classic.

[Christina Ⓥ]

1. The Help
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

[Valyssia]

I'm not going to answer this question. Not exactly. It's impossible. I have more than three favorite audiobooks. Paring the list down would require way too much effort and it probably wouldn't be useful to Brianna. I can, however, make three recommendations based on the selection suggested, which I admittedly haven't read, but will. It sounds good.

1. Bellwether by Connie Willis: A wonderfully light and funny social commentary, full of rich, interesting, quirky characters. If you can't find something about this that makes you grin, you're probably dead, or way too stuffy to live.

2. Intersex (For Lack of a Better Word) by Thea Hillman: This book is about something we treat like a disease that isn't. It lays some of our strongest social taboos to bare in a truly beautiful, artful way. I was stunned by how frank it was. If you're at all open to discussions of gender as more than a static binary value, this is a must read that'll probably change how you think.

3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (read by Claire Danes): A view of an ugly, dystopian society where the most radical of Christian fundamentalists have gotten their way. This story is told from the point of view of a young woman who's singled out to be a 'handmaid' (a surrogate womb to the wealthy, privileged ruling caste).

[Robin P]

Valyssia, I just finished listening to Bellwether. i've loved everything by Connie Willis and they all work beautifully on audio. She does have a great sense of humor. To Say Nothing of the Dog is hysterical. And there is a lot of humor in the two -book series Blackout and All Clear, which you wouldn't expect in a story about the Blitz.

[Ezi]

1) Then Came You & All Lisa Kleypas HR books narrated by Rosalyn Landor. First of all LK is a great writer and Rosalyn Landor's voice transports you back to the London Regency period. Great emotion, romance and story telling.

2) The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires & All Molly Harper books narrated by Amanda Roncini. Molly Harper writes the funniest, quirkest heroines and Amanda Ronconi delivers those one liners with a zing!

3) To Tame A Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning, narrated by Phil Gigante. loved his accent on this one.

Honorable mention!
Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole narrated by Robert Petkoff. Great accent and humorous reading.

Sempre by J.M. Darhower narrated by Carla Mercer-Meyer She captured the innocence and naivete of the heroine

[Ed]

Enders game recently.

[Margo]

1. Company of Liars
UNABRIDGED
By Karen Maitland

2.The Pillars of the Earth
UNABRIDGED
by Ken Follett

The Rosie Project
UNABRIDGED
by Graeme Simsion

of course that is off the top of my head. Probably would have a different list tomorrow!!

[Kelly]

The Hunger GamesThe entire Hunger Games series, narrated by Carolyn McCormick

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and RedemptionUnbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand - narrated by, Edward Herrmann and

Fall of GiantsThe Fall of Giants, by Ken Follett - narrated by John Lee.