Audiobooks discussion
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Name your top 3 favorite AudioBooks---GO!
Hi Everyone! :) I only recently started listening to audiobooks. I've only listened to about six audiobooks so far. But two that really stood out to me are:"Into The Darkest Corner" by Elizabeth Haynes.
http://www.amazon.com/Into-Darkest-Co...
And, "Magpies," by Mark Edwards.
http://www.amazon.com/Magpies-Mark-Ed...
Both are available on Whispersync, and they were both brilliant! Real edge of your seat thrillers. I highly recommend both audiobooks.
I've just started; "Watching You," by Michael Robotham.
http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-T...
So, hopefully that will be number three in my top three favorites.
maybe another good list would be the 3 worst audio books! !!
Andrea wrote: "maybe another good list would be the 3 worst audio books! !!"That could generate some interesting discussion.
Armageddon's Children (3 books)- Genesis of Shannara trilogy -
The Warded Man (3 books & counting)
- Demon Cycle -
The Darkest Evening of the Year
- Dean Koontz -
The Pure trilogy by Julianna BaggottAmerican Gods by Neil Gaiman
Ready Player One by Earnest Cline
Also
The wheel of time series
The Road
Neverwhere (or anything read by Gaiman)
The Outlander Series read by Davina PorterHis Dark Materials Series by Phillip Pullman
The Help.
Rivers of London by Ben AaronovitchAmerican Gods by Neil Gaiman
Harvest of Time by Alistair Reynolds
Top 3 audiobooks? That's hard. At the moment I would go with: 11-22-63 by King, has to be my favorite by King easily.
His Dark Materials was just AWESOME. It was narrated by a full cast and was spectacular.
Shantaram, I think this is one people will just absolutely love or will not be able to stand. It truly spoke to me, obviously.
PS, I LOVE YOUDIVIDED IN DEATH
CLOUD NINE
Marlissa wrote: "The Thirteenth TaleWinter's Bone
Duma Key"
The Thirteenth Tale is a favorite for me too, though probably not in my top 3.
The Top 3 Books that come to mind as my favorites so far are:1) The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
2) The Eighth Guardian by Meredith McCardle
3) The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
I read (rather that listened to) the Forgotten Garden, Kristen. That's a beautiful story! I'd imagine that it was an awesome audio. :)
Jenni wrote: "I read (rather that listened to) the Forgotten Garden, Kristen. That's a beautiful story! I'd imagine that it was an awesome audio. :)"It really was a beautifully written & narrated story!
I'm sorry to say that I found The Forgotten Garden tiresome in the middle third of the book and predictable in the last part. I thought the narration was the best thing about it. I've felt that way about a number of books that women are supposed to love, including The Stone Diaries, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society, and The Postmistress. I loved the Goldfinch, although I read it in print, I've heard great things about the audiobook. I'd especially like to hear how Boris sounds!
Robin wrote: "I'm sorry to say that I found The Forgotten Garden tiresome in the middle third of the book and predictable in the last part. I thought the narration was the best thing about it. I've felt that way..."I totally understand that! I've had the same problem with so many recommended (or notable) books. I think books will either grab you - or they won't. Besides interest, many times it seems more to do with my frame of mind at the time, expectations and what I'm in the mood to listen to.
I'm loving all the recommendations in this thread though - have added so many to my TBR shelf...
Almost done with Empire Falls. Tremendous book and equally great narration.
Joshua wrote: "
"Yes to all three! I got to hear John Scalzi read last year and I was delighted that he sounds just like Will Wheaton!
I never even thought to compare Audible prices with Amazon's... I assumed they'd be the same. I rarely purchase a book without using a credit, unless it is on sale or drastically reduced for Whispersync. But if I do think of buying, I'll check the prices for sure!
Deborah Crombie books, Divided in Death, and P.S. I Love You.
The Handmaid's TaleThe Good Earth
Just listened to the Handmaid's Tale read by Claire Danes and I loved it. It was free through Kindle Unlimited and Whispersync. Also I heard The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck the same way. Don't know who the reader was but he was spectacular!
The Door to December by Dean Koontz is an amazing book and the narrator was absolutely outstanding. It wasn't scary really but kept me on the edge of my seat. The narrator was Richard Paige I believe.
"The Killer Next Door", by Alex Marwood: http://www.amazon.com/The-Killer-Next...
"The Killer Next Door," is the best book I've read in ages. (I mean listened to!) It is an edge of your seat thriller, with the most amazing characters. I genuinely missed the characters when I finished the book.
Imogen Church is the narrator. She is the best narrator that I have listened to so far. She brought the characters to life, she has the ability to completely change her voice and accent. She is an amazing narrator, I'll be looking out for her in future. So talented.
"Watching You" by Michael Robotham:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-T...
"Watching You," is another amazing thriller, the story is quite shocking, with twists and turns, including a great twist at the end. I really enjoyed this too.
The narrator is Sean Barrett, he did an amazing job. His voice really added to the creepiness of the book.
"Into The Darkest Corners," by Elizabeth Haynes:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-T...
I've read a few of, Elizabeth Haynes's, books and I have really enjoyed all of them. This one is quite shocking and terrifying in parts. I literally couldn't put it down. Really brilliant!
Karen Cass is the narrator, and she did a spectacular job. She is so good at building the atmosphere. Another top audio book.
I can't possibly explain how much I enjoyed these three audio books. I'm not sure if I will be able to find other books as good as these three. These audio books completely blew me away!
I thoroughly enjoyed "The Killer Next Door", by Alex Marwood, I hated saying good bye to the amazing characters. So, the minute I finished it I downloaded another book by Alex Marwood, called "The Wicked Girls." And so far it is another brilliant audio book, with more characters that truly come alive:
http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/The...
Before I go, I want to mention one other Audio book that I loved. Its called "The Magpies." I know that I mentioned it before, but I thought I'd post a link because it was another good thriller, with a great narrator.
"The Magpies," By Mark Edwards.
http://www.amazon.com/Magpies-Mark-Ed...
The Kindle e-book of "The Magpies," is $5.87, and you can upgrade to Whispersync for an extra $2.29. Its a great bargain. :)
If you are a fan of good, edge of your seat thrillers, that keep you guessing, with twists and turns. Plus amazingly real life characters. Then I highly recommend all of the above. Happy listening!
I'm so glad I signed up with Audible, I completely hooked.:)
The Mammoth Hunters, by what's-her-name (sorry; I'm having a senior moment); World Without End by Ken Follett; and the Outlander books of Diane Gabaldon which take place in North America.
Anne wrote: "The Door to December by Dean Koontz is an amazing book and the narrator was absolutely outstanding. It wasn't scary really but kept me on the edge of my seat. The narrator was Richard Paige I believe."Added this to my wish list. I like the Koontz that I have so far but I understand he can be a bit uneven.
Martha wrote: "The Mammoth Hunters, by what's-her-name (sorry; I'm having a senior moment); World Without End by Ken Follett; and the Outlander books of Diane Gabaldon which take place in North America."Jean Auel is the author you're thinking of. You obviously don't mind long books!
I call it Waterford Elephants. It drives the wife crazy.
In no partocular orderGhost stories By M. R James narrated by Derek Jacobi.
Christopher Lee's reading of M R James are better but they aren't audiobooks in the strictest sense.
His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman, narrated by Pullman and cast.
Harry Potter series narrated by Stephen Fry.
The entire Black Dagger Brotherhood (10 in the series so far): JR WardThe Autobiography of Henry the VIII with notes from Will Sommer's: his fool - Margaret George
A three volume set: History of the English Speaking People by Winston Churchill
Honorable mention (there always has to be an honorable mention):
The Breed Series by Lara Adrian
"Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, read by Martin Jarvis -- really superb."Pepys' Diaries" (Samuel Pepys) read by Kenneth Branagh
"In the Arena" (abridged) by Richard Nixon, read by the author -- utterly fascinating to hear Nixon himself read such insights as this, about a Georgetown neighbor in 1946 who kept minks IIRC: "Now, minks make fine coats; but as an animal, they are disgusting. Because they eat their young. Many a night, Pat and I were kept awake by the howls of the baby minks." I had two versions of this on cassette, years back, loaned them both to friends and never saw them again. :)
And honorable mention: "John Adams" (abridged) by David McCullough, read by Edward Herrmann.
'Tin Roof Blow Down' by James Lee Burke (Katrina)'Last Car to Elysian Fields' by James Lee Burke
'The Clearing' by Tim Geatreaux
Actor Will Patton is the voice for James Lee's audio books---simply outstanding entertainment!!
Jamesgg wrote: ""Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, read by Martin Jarvis -- really superb...."Martin Jarvis read my edition of "Lord of the Flies". The book isn't offered in the US and I had a difficult time finding a copy. I thought Jarvis was pretty good. It is the only thing I have heard him read. I bet he would be good with Dickens.
Forney_bill wrote: "Jamesgg wrote: ""Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, read by Martin Jarvis -- really superb...."Martin Jarvis read my edition of "Lord of the Flies". The book isn't offered in the US and I ha..."
Just FYI - Jarvis has recorded some of Agatha Christie's mysteries and some of the mysteries written by Dick Francis' son Felix, which are continuing the horse-racing themes. They are very good. He's also an actor, and was in the most recent (2010) film version of Christie's *The Mirror Crack'd* (finally watched from TiVo).
Forney_bill wrote: "Jamesgg wrote: ""Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, read by Martin Jarvis -- really superb...."Martin Jarvis read my edition of "Lord of the Flies". The book isn't offered in the US and I ha..."
David Copperfield by Charles dickens read by Martin Jarvis is in my top 10 favorite books of all time--allowing some series to stand as one book and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie to hold a place for their body of work rather than just one title. I found the story come to life under Jarvis's performance in a way the print just didn't and in a way different from other versions I've encountered.
Jeanie wrote: "Forney_bill wrote: "Jamesgg wrote: ""Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, read by Martin Jarvis -- really superb...."Martin Jarvis read my edition of "Lord of the Flies". The book isn't offere..."
High praise. Added to Wish List
So here is an interesting quandary. I can get a Whispersync deal for $1.00 for the book and $3.00 for the audio. That's $4 total. Pretty cheap.
I get Martin Jarvis if I select this one (Dover Thrift Edition),
http://www.amazon.com/David-Copperfie...
If I select this one (David Copperfield (Illustrated)),
http://www.amazon.com/David-Copperfie...
I get a brand new reading by Simon Vance. It appears to be been released July 14, 2014.
Which one? High praise for Jarvis but Vance is a real heavy weight. Suggestions?
Patrick wrote: "'Tin Roof Blow Down' by James Lee Burke (Katrina)'Last Car to Elysian Fields' by James Lee Burke
'The Clearing' by Tim Geatreaux
Actor Will Patton is the voice for James Lee's audio books---sim..."
Amazing how different our tastes can be. Will Patton is like the one narrator that will cause me to skip an audiobook. And he does so many books, too! I guess a lot of people like him.
Chuck wrote: "Patrick wrote: "'Tin Roof Blow Down' by James Lee Burke (Katrina)'Last Car to Elysian Fields' by James Lee Burke
'The Clearing' by Tim Geatreaux
Actor Will Patton is the voice for James Lee's a..."
Chuck wrote: "Patrick wrote: "'Tin Roof Blow Down' by James Lee Burke (Katrina)
'Last Car to Elysian Fields' by James Lee Burke
'The Clearing' by Tim Geatreaux
Actor Will Patton is the voice for James Lee's a..."
Thanks for the reply, however, Patton is Cajun and so is Burke's primary character, 'Dave Robicheaux' (series). As they say, Don't get no better! Graduate---University of Tennessee ;))
Bill, I wish I could help. I recently chose the Vance recording based on his other work, but the Jarvis recommendations here make me wonder whether I should have listened to other options.HBJ
Forney_bill wrote: "Jeanie wrote: "Forney_bill wrote: "Jamesgg wrote: ""Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens, read by Martin Jarvis -- really superb...."Martin Jarvis read my edition of "Lord of the Flies". The bo..."
Dang, that is a tough choice... I'm tempted to get the Vance version just to see. I listened to the Vance sample but it had no character voices, which is where the Jarvis version really shines. His Miss Betsy, McCauber, Trattles, Peggoty, Mr. Peggoty, and even his Uriah Heap are perfectly fascinating. I admit there are a couple of female voices that grate a little, but this was as much due to stretches of Dickens' dialogue as the voice itself. You can't go wrong with either, but, on balance, I'd go with the Jarvis version and choose Vance for any other dickens--I think he's done nearly all of them.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneMonster Hunter International
Raven's Gate # 1
What is Whispersync? Is this a US thing?
Tony wrote: "What is Whispersync? Is this a US thing?"It is a feature Amazon developed with some Kindle ebooks that allows a person to read the print ebook and then switch to the audiobook or vice versa at the place left off at in the other format. It is available in the US and Canada, I don't know about elsewhere.
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