Name your top 3 favorite AudioBooks---GO!

[Brianna]

I just finished the audio of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I am now looking for other must listen books, give me your favorites!

[[deleted user]]

1. The Light between Oceans by M.L. Stedman;

2. Still Missing by Chevy Stevens;

3. A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson.

These are in no particular order.

[✨Susan✨]

Is this outside of a series.

[Bobby]

Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth (read by Simon Prebble)

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (read by Bernadette Dunne)

1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created by Charles Mann (read by Robertson Dean)

[Hunchback Jack]

Wow, that's really hard. Well, taking into account that were talking about favourite audiobooks:

1. Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon; read by Edoardo Ballerini.

This is a great novel, but Ballerini makes it a fantastic audiobook. The others in the series are great as well.

2. The Waste Lands by Stephen King. Read by the author.

I'm a sucker for audiobooks read by the author, and King generally does a great job of narrating his own work. I chose this one because it's one of the stronger Dark Tower novels, and King's performance of Gasher - a nasty piece of work - is well worth the price of admission.

3. Drood by Dan Simmons; read by John Lee.

I know a lot of people don't like Lee as a narrator, but this novel - being a first person narrative - seems to suit his delivery style very well. As a novel, Drood is a bit bloated, and possibly not quite as good as The Terror, Simmons' previous novel - but it's also quite brilliant.

Worth an honorable mention is The Throat by Peter Straub, for example. Damn, but that man can write. Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of Patrick Lawlor, who reads the only unabridged version I can find of this wonderful novel.

HBJ

[Patricia]

My top 3 are currently:
Life After Life By Kate Atkinson
The Painted Girls By Cathy Marie Buchanan
The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

I could easily add another 3 or 4 to the list though.

[Jen]

The first three great audiobooks that come to my mind are:

Burial Rites
The Book Thief
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

I also love the narrators that do the Wheel of Time series and the Brandon Sanderson book The Way of Kings.

[Jeanie]

1. Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien read by Rob Ingliss
2. Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling read by Jim Dale (I don't have a favorite so the series stands as one book)
3. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card read by a full cast
3. Kim by Rudyard Kipling read by Sam Dastor (third place is a tie)

There are so many more...

[Christine]

1. Ender's Game, Ender's Shadow, & First Formic War series by Orson Scott Card, narrated by full cast (featuring Stefan Rudnicki and Scott Brick)
--> All of the books of these series make up my absolute top picks!!
2. American on Purpose: The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot written and narrated by Craig Ferguson
3. The First Part Last by Angela Johnson, narrated by Khalipa Oldjohn
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, narrated by Kate Rudd

[Louise]

Mine are:

Libriomancer
Cloud Atlas
11-22-63

[Abigail]

1. The Road narrated by Tom Stechshulte

2. Gone with the Wind narrated by Linda Stephens

3. On the Road narrated by Will Patton

The Road is my favorite because of the sheer emotional response I had to that book at the end. I haven't had that same kind of experience since! Gone with the Wind narrated by Linda Stephens also was an unforgettable listen. I came to that audio book very familiar with the film, having seen the movie at least 5-6 times before hearing the audio book. Linda sounded very similar to Vivien Leigh from the film. And On the Road is my favorite audiobook read by Will O. Patton because he understood how to read the beat language. He's also my favorite audiobook narrator and that is my favorite audiobook that he has read.

My shelf Top 10 Favorite Audiobooks

[Leigh]

Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Days of Blood & Starlight
The Book Thief

[Denise]

WOW, You can name them? I have been listening to audio books since the 90's when they were on tape, then CD's, and now downloads. Ive listened to so many I can't even remember half of them. I listen to nearly 5 each week, I just can't retain that many.

[Carolyn F.]

Outlander - the whole series with Davina Porter as narrator

Unholy Ghosts - narrated by Bhani Turpin

Guilty Pleasures - I think there were 2 different narrators but they're both pretty good - "groovy" music on the 1st book that drove me crazy but it you can ignore that, it was good

[[deleted user]]

OP, you're receiving some excellent advice. I hope you haven't abandoned the thread.

[Scott S.]

Ready Player One
Monster Hunter International
The Martian

And because I can't count:

Confessions of a D-List Supervillain
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom
Year Zero
&
14

[Marianne]

11/22/63 Stephen King -- BEST EVER audiobook haunting me for weeks (like I'd lost a friend haunting) making it impossible to listen to anything else... For awhile, that is.

My Life So Far Jane Fonda - Wonderful! Read by Jane Fonda I really don't know why I loved it like I did - no huge fan of hers, although reading this did change my perception of her. She's an interesting woman whose life experiences really changed her and I think she is a wonderful role model for women-and seemingly as honest as anyone else -especially considering the business she's in....

The Goldfinch Donna Tartt - Swore to myself I would read the physical book that I purchased -and I did read the first 100 pp -then a sale on audiobook and once I switched to listening, I never went back!

I have so many other favorites!! But today theses are the three that came to mind. I think that 11/22/63 will always remain on top.

[Holly]

1. Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem, read by Frank Muller. The main character has Tourett's and the rhythm of the language is amazing. Sadly, this is not available on Audible. Their version is narrated by Geoffrey Cantor. I haven't heard it but it can't possibly be as good. I heard this almost ten years ago and it's still my #1.

2. Dead Beat by Jim Butcher, read by James Marsters. This is partially because I adore the Dresden Files series, and partially because James Marsters' voice is perfect for the character of Harry Dresden - but perhaps it is really the plot involving a one man polka suit and a reanimated Sue the Tyrannasaurus Rex from the Chicago Natural History Museum eating zombies that makes this one so very special.

3. Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman, read by Lenny Henry. My favorite Gaiman tale, despite it not being as popular as some. Henry has a voice like rich chocolate.

Other honorable mentions:

Assassination Vacation, by and read by Sarah Vowell.
Holidays On Ice, by and read by David Sedaris.
Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, read by Jim Dale.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer, read by Jeff Woodman, Barbara Caruso, Richard Ferrone.
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt, read by David Pittu.
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, read by Will Patton. (really, anything read by Will Patton!)

[Stepheny]

1.)It
2.)Harry Potter Boxed Set
3.)The Help

[╟ ♫ Tima ♪ ╣ ♥]

I'm fairly new to the realm of audiobooks and now I'm kicking myself for not getting into them sooner! I'm so hesitant on buying them because narrators can make or break a story so I'm always scouring reviews and sample audios, haha.

1)
Joyland by Stephen King and read by Michael Kelly

*This was the first audiobook that actually made me get lost in a story. His narration was superb, I loved it.

2)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and read by Kristoffer Tabori

His narration alone kept me interested during the lull parts of the book. I'm not sure I would've finished the book had I read a print copy, and that would've been a shame because it's an excellent book.

I don't have a 3rd one yet, the other narrators have been so-so despite the stories being great.

[Daniel]

Outliers: The Story of Success
Success Isn't for Everyone: How to build a Successful Foundation for your life.
How Will You Measure Your Life?

[John, Moderator]

Holly wrote: "1. Motherless Brooklyn by Jonathan Lethem, read by Frank Muller. The main character has Tourett's and the rhythm of the language is amazing. Sadly, this is not available on Audible. Their version i..."

Muller's reading remains my all-time, number one favorite audiobook.

[Jeanie]

Tima wrote: "I'm fairly new to the realm of audiobooks and now I'm kicking myself for not getting into them sooner! I'm so hesitant on buying them because narrators can make or break a story so I'm always scour..."

Welcome, Tima! Just keep reading the various threads in this group and you'll soon find more recommendations of great books with great narrators than you can keep up with!

[MissSusie]

I second Anansi Boys Lenny Henry is perfect!

Also second The Help

I would add The Silence of Trees by Valya Dudycz Lupescu narrated by, Xe Sands a beautiful book and narration

Anything by,Kate Morton all her books are narrated by Caroline Lee but they are all stand alones another great example of the perfect narrator for the authors words!

And of course no best of list can exclude Diana Gabaldon's Outlander narrated to perfection by Davina Porter I listen to this whole series everytime a new one comes out and its almost time re-immerse myself into this series with a new book and TV series coming this year!

[Scott S.]

Daniel wrote: "Outliers: The Story of Success
Success Isn't for Everyone: How to build a Successful Foundation for your life.
How Will You Measure Your Life?"

I loved Outliers right up until the interview at the end of the book, in which the author pretty much negates everything he said in the book.

[Karlton]

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
True Grit by Charles Portis (narrated by Donna Tartt)
Misery by Stephen King

[Powder River Rose]

So I've had a hard time with this so I'm going to list it a tad differently.

Youth:

Calendar Quest by Jennifer Johnson Garrity

The Secret Garden audio version by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Alphabet of Dreams by Susan Fletcher

General:

The Painted Bird by Jerzy Kosiński

Joan of Arc audio by Mark Twain

The Help audio by Kathryn Stockett

Series: omgosh I just can't name three

The History Chronicles: by Ted Dekker
The Circle
Lost Books
Paradise

The Belgariad and The Mallorean by David Eddings

Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins

Arthurian Series by Mary Stewart
The Crystal Cave
The Hollow Hills
The Last Enchantment
The Wicked Day

Rama by Arthur C Clarke

Whew!

[J.D.]

Mine is a bit biased, but A Long Walk Down a Dark Alley, written by J.D. Brink and narrated by Gardner Goldsmith. I have other audiobooks but I'm honestly not here to plug any of them, I just love the way Gardner reads the stories in this collection. He does an amazing job with characterizing everyone, from the hard-boiled gumshoe to the mafia tough guys. It's much more fun to listen to than to read.

http://www.audible.com/pd/Fiction/A-L...

[Naoise]

The Historian - Love the atmospheric voice changes.

The Help - Captivating characters - my children still quote this from our daily run arounds years ago.

The Last Lecture - Wonderful narration, beautiful message and extremely poignant given the author passed away.

(I have more favorites but these are 3 I could listen to over and over again)

[John, Moderator]

I agreed with Motherless Brooklyn earlier, but want to throw out one that's hot on its heels for "best listen" as far as I'm concerned:" The Ha-Ha. Protagonist is mute, so listening to the audio of his voiced thoughts is a special experience.

[Stepheny]

John wrote: "I agreed with Motherless Brooklyn earlier, but want to thrown one that's hot on its heels for "best listen" as far as I'm concerned:" The Ha-Ha. Protagonist is mute, so listening to t..."

Oh now, that sounds interesting! I'm going to check that out for sure! :D

[Chrizette]

My recent favourites:


1. The Martian by Andy Weir (humor, science fiction)

2. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (historical WW2)

3. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (fantasy, romance)

[Leslie]

Chrizette wrote: "My recent favourites:


1. The Martian by Andy Weir (humor, science fiction)

2. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (historical WW2)

3. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (fantasy, romance)"

Oh good - Code Name Verity is one of this summer's SYNC offerings.

[Robin P]

I chose The Night Circus also
Plus Doomsday Book
and A Confederacy of Dunces

[Kristie]

I can't even narrow down a list of 3 favorites from 2013, let alone my faves of all time. Some I'd reaffirm from others' lists would be:
The Help
11-22-63
The Goldfinch
The Book Thief
Harry Potter narrated by Jim Dale

I'd add a few more:
East of Eden
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Nobody's Fool
Bossypants
To Kill a Mockingbird
Their Eyes Were Watching God
The Power of One
Cutting for Stone
Angle of Repose
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Lonesome Dove
The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End

OK, I'll stop there, but I'm sure I could add more.

[Abigail]

I can't find To Kill A Mockingbird on audio, Audible doesn't have it! Since I'm a member there and I like the ease of downloading their books to my device, I don't use books on Cd's or any other audio formats. But I hope someday Audible gets a good version!

Kristie wrote: "I can't even narrow down a list of 3 favorites from 2013, let alone my faves of all time. Some I'd reaffirm from others' lists would be:
The Help
11-22-63
The Goldfinch
The Book Thief

I'd add a fe..."

[Kristie]

I got To Kill a Mockingbird from the library on CD. Sissy Spacek narrated, which was awesome.

[CatBookMom]

Abigail wrote: "I can't find To Kill A Mockingbird on audio, Audible doesn't have it! Since I'm a member there and I like the ease of downloading their books to my device, I don't use books on Cd's or any other au..."

To Kill a Mockingbird is only available on CD. If your library doesn't have it, try asking about an Inter-Library Loan

[CatBookMom]

For my own top 3, off the top of my head:

Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold - my favorite of the books in the Vorkosigan series,

Treachery in Death by J. D. Robb - one of my favorites in the series,

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - wonderful book, very well read

[John, Moderator]

I'm sorely tempted to throw in Barbara Rosenblatt's narration of Bridget Jones's Diary (but consider my comment "unofficial" here for now).

[Jeanie]

I've decided to add three more recommendations, this time series.
Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe narrated by Michael Prichard
Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache/Three Pines Mysteries read by Ralph Coshem
Jim butcher's The Dresden Files read by James Marsters
Kevin Hearne's The Iron Druid Chronicles read by Luke Daniels

OK, so I still can't count.

[Holly]

John wrote: "I'm sorely tempted to throw in Barbara Roseblatt's narration of Bridget Jones's Diary (but consider my comment "unofficial" here for now)."

Hear! hear! Another favorite of mine. John, I need to go look at your book list, apparently :)

[Stephanie]

1. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone - read by Jim Dale
2. Steelworld - B V Larson
3. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets - read by Jim Dale.

[Koeeoaddi]

Lolita (read by Jeremy Irons)
English Passengers (ensemble cast)
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (read by Simon Prebble)

Dumb question: I just finished The Terror, by Dan Simmons, brilliantly read by John Lee. For the entire book, up until the very end where the narrator said, "read for you by John Lee" I thought I was listening to Simon Prebble. Are they the same narrator, reading under different names?

[Stacy]

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn narrated by Anna Fields is my favorite book on CD. Blackstone Library had Anna as one of their narrators and she was so talented. She died a few years ago in a freak accident. I am listening to all the books she narrated. But this is the best!

[Javasapien]

Koeeoaddi wrote: "Dumb question: I just finished The Terror, by Dan Simmons, brilliantly read by John Lee. For the entire book, up until the very end where the narrator said, "read for you by John Lee" I thought I was listening to Simon Prebble. Are they the same narrator, reading under different names"

No, definitely two different narrators. And I find them quite different sounding. Simon Prebble was one of my very first all time favorite narrators. But I also fell in love with John Lee when listening to Pillars of the Earth and World Without End.

[Rebecca]

Stranger in a Strange Land, Wheel of Time series, Amber series by Roger Zalazny, Mirror of Her Dreams/A Man Rides Through

[Janice]

It's hard to list just 3 favs!

The Book Thief
The Song of Achilles
Speaks the Nightbird

[Alan]

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 narrated by Frank Muller - as I may have mentioned in the past, searching for old audiobook gems like this is seomthing I love to do. I transcribe them to MP3 for my Sansa Fuze and car players.

I lucked out and found at least one copy on Amazon. The first search for "Motherless Brookly" (title only) didn't work all that well, so I searched on "Motherless Brooklyn Frank Muller" and found some used cassettes for sale. After an email exchange with the marketplace seller to make sure it was the edition narrated by Muller, I jumped on it.

For others who might engage in the same search, keep a close eye on the product descriptions posted by the Amazon marketplace sellers. Some of the products don't sound like the audiocassette version. e.g., one seller describes the condition of the "Dust Jacket." Right. The best way to play it safe is to send a message to the seller asking for specific details about the product for sale.

I bought mine from Orion_Sales, which has already pulled its listing. The rest are pretty pricey and may actually be printed copy.

Here's a link to at least one of the marketplace listings for the audiocassette version narrated by Frank Muller. Click on "Return to product information" to see the Amazon listing with Muller as narrator:

Motherless Brooklyn, by Jonathan Lethem, narrated by Frank Muller, audiocassette

Thanks to both of you for the recommendations!

Hope this information helps someone somehow,
Alan Mintaka

[John, Moderator]

Many thanks, Al! For those who can't get a hold of that edition, my cousin read the print book and loved it.