2025 Reading Challenge discussion
ARCHIVE 2016
>
Kevin F- 120 books in '16
date
newest »
newest »
Kevin, who are your favorite narrators? I have listened to quite a few audio books and for me, the narrator can truly make or break a reading experience. Great novels can't always overcome terrible narration, but so-so novels can be made better.
I find I enjoy sudiobooks the best when read by the author
Laurie wrote: "Kevin, who are your favorite narrators? I have listened to quite a few audio books and for me, the narrator can truly make or break a reading experience. Great novels can't always overcome terrible..."You know, very seldom do I get to pick an audiobook based on the narrator. I often recognize voices when I start listening, but don't know their name.
A few of my favorites that I do know...
Dick Hill, James Marsters, Frank Muller, Scott Brick, and Eric Conger.
I agree completely that a narrator can ruin a great book, or elevate a mediocre one. I always try to listen to the first book in any new series to get a feel for the way the characters communicate with one another. All the narrators I listed above, in my opinion, give their characters such personality that sticks with you all the way through a series...even in print.
Blagica wrote: "I find I enjoy sudiobooks the best when read by the author"Agreed. Most authors make audiobooks very enjoyable.
Kevin, I noticed you have two threads in the Challenge. Was that on purpose? We do count Audio and Print books together.
If you can delete one or the other of them, I'll just combine them in one thread. My goal is to read more print books in the coming year. It certainly would make more sense to combine them into one thread. Thanks!
I can delete the print one because this has more comments. So I guess your goal will be up to 121 books. When you update, I will move you in to the 100+ Threads.
Blagica wrote: "I find I enjoy sudiobooks the best when read by the author"I tried listening to The Lord of the Flies, narrated by Mr. William Golding, himself. Its rough. He sounds very distracted, like he's telling the story while hes doing the household chores. I think I'm going to have to stop and read the book myself.
I totally understand where you are coming from, Kevin. It's the worst when a narrator ruins the book; particularly if they are also the author! Audiobooks can be super hit-or-miss. I like listening to Neil Gaiman read his own works, but I've run into some authors who are only adequate at it...I typically look for audiobooks narrated by people who present to people often (TV personalities, those with Podcasts, etc.) or audiobooks which have won Audie awards.
Jackie B. wrote: "I totally understand where you are coming from, Kevin. It's the worst when a narrator ruins the book; particularly if they are also the author! Audiobooks can be super hit-or-miss. I like listening..."Along with a nearly monotone narration, Mr. Golding has an English accent, and uses words I'm not familiar with. These last two things are not his fault, of course, but it all adds up to a very difficult listen.
I wish I could be more choosy about the audiobooks I listen to, but without them, I might get to read a dozen books per year. I'm way too addicted to storytelling to make that work, so I give everything a chance. Authors like Golding, Jussi Adler Olsen, and Jo Nesbo require more of my concentration, due to the foreign backdrop. But they are all so good at their craft (writing, not reading :) ), I have to keep giving them a chance.
I really respect that. I keep trying to branch out with my audiobook listening.Well, I'll certainly be following your reading adventures in 2016. Hopefully I can find some awesome new audiobooks!
Congrats on finishing your first book in 2016!
Megan wrote: "Congrats on finishing your first book in 2016!"Thanks. It wasn't my favorite King read. I thought Thad Beaumont was kind of annoying, so it was a little tough to finish.
Book #2, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption.Best book I have ever read. Absolutely 5 stars.
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Stand (other topics)Walkin' the Dog (other topics)
Walkin' the Dog (other topics)
The Stand (other topics)
Dead Beat (other topics)
More...
6/120
1]
The Dark Half - Stephen King
2]
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - Laura Hillenbrand
3]
Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn
4]
Dead Beat - Jim Butcher
5]
Walkin' the Dog - Walter Mosley
6]
The Stand - Stephen King