Audio Books You Have Enjoyed

[[deleted user]]

Here's a place where you can talk about great audio books (or warn us about duds).

[[deleted user]]

I don't listen much to audio. I don't commute to work and find it distracting to listen around the house. I have found some really good ones on Librivox, however, which are totally free.

www.librivox.org

The 39 Steps: http://librivox.org/the-thirty-nine-s...

-------------

The BBC also has wonderful radio plays:
Programming information: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio7/programme...

Starting today (Jan 21, 2011) you can listen to Dorothy L. Sayers' Strong Poison, where Lord Peter Wimsey meets Harriet Vane, and one of the world's greatest romances begins:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007d69y

[Carol/Bonadie]

The Harry Potter series, read by Jim Dale, is top notch. He's a genius at creating distinct voices for the many characters.

[Doreen]

I love audiobooks! IMHO, most narrators are quite good. Two of my favorite books are The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium, #1) and The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson; narration by Simon Vance. [I'm a book or two away from listening to [book:The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest|6892870].]

Most of the audiobooks I've listened to I downloaded from our public library; I think that's pretty cool :-)

[Carol/Bonadie]

I agree with Doreen that most, but not all, readers are good. One of my favorites is George Guidall, I will listen to anything he reads.

Books where there is a particular accent featured are ones where I seek out audio rather than print. One series is the Dave Robicheaux series by James Lee Burke. I think there are two readers of this series and they both read the Louisiana accent so beautifully that I hate to put the books down.

[Doreen]

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I agree with Doreen that most, but not all, readers are good. One of my favorites is George Guidall, I will listen to anything he reads.

Books where there is a particular accent featured are ones..."

Hi, Carol --
I haven't listened to any of James Lee Burke's books yet; I know Will Patton narrates some of his. Is he one of the two you mentioned?

[[deleted user]]

my respect for other "readers" skyrocketed after I narrated my own book. Loved doing it...and it's selling well.. but future books will have fewer characters...I was running out of accents! And after doing my own audio, it was a bit of a shock to hear another guy's voice on the Kindle...but that's technology! Liam www.terminalpolicy.com

[[deleted user]]

Starting Monday 31 January 2011
The BBC is broadcasting a 7-part radio play of
G.K. Chesterton's Father Brown Stories.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007jp1b

[Robin]

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I agree with Doreen that most, but not all, readers are good. One of my favorites is George Guidall, I will listen to anything he reads.

Books where there is a particular accent featured are ones..."

George Guidall is fantastic! I also enjoy Barbara Rosenblat's reading of Dorothy Gillman's Mrs. Polifax series. It's great to listen to a book every once in a while, especially when I have a painting project or some embroidery/sewing work to do.

[LeAnn]

I've listened to MANY audiobooks during commuting for work and doing boring housework. I enjoyed listening to Alexander McCall Smith's audiobooks especially the series we are reading this month.
I agree with Robin. I liked Dorothy Gillman's Mrs. Polifax on audio.

[Martha]

I listen to books I get from audible.com on my commute. I've liked many books, but some of my favorites have been history -
No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II, Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey & currently Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood with Britain in Its Darkest, Finest Hour. Manhunt & River of Doubt were more like thrillers than your typical non-fiction.

[Merrill]

I went through most of the James Lee Burke novels on audio because they were read by Will Patton. He did such a great job with the Louisiana accents, especially the Cajun accents. It added a lot to the stories.

I also think Burke has a tendency to overwrite things so I really like the condensed audio versions.

Merrill Heath
Bearing False Witness

[Shirley]

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett




on the TBLT (to be listened to)pile.

[Martha]

Shirley wrote: "The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett




on the TBLT (to be listened to)pile."

Merrill wrote: "I went through most of the James Lee Burke novels on audio because they were read by Will Patton. He did such a great job with the Louisiana accents, especially the Cajun accents. It added a lot to..."

Great choices, both!! I listened to Tin Roof Blowdown by Burke & POTE. WWE is also on my TBLT pile! :-) The Stieg Larsson books were great listens also ... loved the Swedish accent although a bit harder to tell the names apart than it would have been in print, I think.

[Edward]

Aside from hearing snippets of what my wife listens to, the only audiobooks I've listened to are the ones by authors at podiobooks.com. In terms of audio, the three best ones performancewise that I've heard are probably:
-Chasing the Bard by Philippa Ballantine
-Any thing by Nathan Lowell
-Murder at Avedon Hill by PG Holyfield

None of these are thrillers - Avedon Hill is a fantasy mystery with a touch of horror, and the others are sci-fi and fantasy. Favorite thriller has to be 7th Son: Book One - Descent by JC Hutchins. He does an excellent job with it and the book is a five star read IMO.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Christine Falls read by Timothy Dalton

44 Scotland Street read by Robert Ian MacKenzie

[Carrie]

This isn't exactly like the regular genre that you are all used to, but it does involve mystery: Scent of the Missing: Love and Partnership with a Search and Rescue Dog by/read by Susannah Charleson

I just finished this book a little earlier today and really enjoyed it. It was read by the author, and though I don't always like those type of books, this one was very well done and I felt that she gave extra insight because she read it and I wouldn't have gotten it if I'd just read the book.

I wrote a review too, for anyone interested: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The other book which definitely fits more into what we think of with Mystery/Crime/Thriller was one I listened to a little while back. I absolutely adored the narrator. The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl, read by Erik Singer (Narrator). Talk about a very versatile reader when it comes to inflection as well as dialect/accents!

My review for The Poe Shadow: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Tina]

I love the Jonathan Kellerman (Alex Delaware) books, narrated by John Rubinstein for commuting. In general, I enjoy these types of murder mysteries on audio books (also Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta and most recently Kathy Reichs).

It's ok to drift off in thought a bit from time to time while listening to these books - you usually don't miss any pertinent information.

[Colleen]

I'm going to revive this thread because I am an audio book lover. Scott Brick, and Dick Hill could read me the phone book. I love them both.
Brick reads Michael Koryta's Lincoln Perry series (set in Cleveland), and several of Lincoln Child's stand alone books.
Dick Hill has read all kinds of great books including some of the Harry Bosch novels, part of the Doc Ford series by Randy Wayne White, and he does the male voices in JA Konrath's Jack Daniels series.

[Rene]

On audiobooksforfree.com you can find good readings of all the Sherlock Holmes books.

[Terry]

Jim Dale may be the best around, but some of the others like George Guidall are also good. I happen to like Richard Ferrone, who does the Prey series by John Sandford. He has a beautiful rhythm that is easy to listen to.

[Linda]

I am currently listening to - my first book by this author and dd not realize it is the last book in a series - I am really enjoying it - will go back to the 1st one in the series to get caught up.

[MountainAshleah]

I absolutely love audio books. The narrator is critical.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Currently listening to Caleb's Crossing read by Jennifer Ehle. Not a mystery but a terrific story and Ehle is doing a wonderful job.

[D.G.]

Donna wrote: "Currently listening to Caleb's Crossing read by Jennifer Ehle. Not a mystery but a terrific story and Ehle is doing a wonderful job."

Ooooh! I have that on my TBL!!

[D.G.]

I'm re-reading Agatha Christie on audio and I was totally spoiled by The Mysterious Affair at Styles narrated by David Suchet. It was just freaking excellent!

He doesn't narrated all the books though so I'm having to make do with other narrators for some of the books.

[D.G.]

Other mystery/thriller audiobooks worth a listen...all good stories with excellent narrations:
Monkeewrench
A Prisoner of Birth (this is a modern retelling of the Count of Monte Cristo)
Red Sky in Morning
The Mysterious Affair at Styles

[Elizabeth]

I listen to many books on audio. Some of my favorites are the Phryne Fisher series by Kerry Greenwood, narrated by Stephanie Daniels. Another series I like very much, for sentimental reasons, are the Miss Silver series by Patricia Wentworth, read by Diana Bishop.

[Elizabeth]

DG - I loved David Suchet's reading of The Mysterious Affair at Styles!! I don't know why he doesn't narrate more books! He's great!

[D.G.]

Elizabeth wrote: "DG - I loved David Suchet's reading of The Mysterious Affair at Styles!! I don't know why he doesn't narrate more books! He's great!"

I know! He should do them all. :)

[Tabitha Cothern]

John Sandford's books as read by Richard Ferrone are excellent. Unfortunately not all of them are available in audio yet. I listen to a lot of audio books and the narrator makes a huge difference. In my opinion there's nothing worse than having a great book spoiled by a poor narrator. Richard Ferrone is one of the best I've come across so far.

[Shaun]

Been there, done that.
Iespeciallylovemisterormissfastreaderwhonevertakesabreathbetweenwordsandneverpausesbetweenparagraphs.

:)

I drive for a living, so I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks over the last twenty years, and have to agree that the narrator makes or breaks the experience.

Richard Ferrone is superb, as is George Guidall. Other notable talents include: Dick Hill, Will Patton, Scott Brick, Phil Gigante, Tom Stechschulte, the late, great Frank Muller, Joyce Bean, Mark Hammer, and Mirron Willis.

Actors such as Brad Pitt and Timothy Dalton have also proved excellent narrators.

[Jeanie]

Awww...(sigh) I miss Frank Muller and Mark Hammer. I really do... such voices! I actually like Mark's interpretation of "Clete" in Burkes' Robicheaux books more than Will Patton's. Yes, I know... sacrilege. (laughing at Shaun's description of Mister or Miss Fast Reader) It took me awhile to get used to Scott Brick's voice. I now like it, but at first?? Not so much. Sometimes he's almost over the top, or, was at the beginning of his voice career. (peering at Shaun's list, which is pretty much my list, as well) I'll add to Shaun's with James Marsters. When he didn't narrate the latest Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" book there was almost as much of a furor as the one that occurred when it was announced that Tom Cruise would be playing Jack Reacher. Major pandemonium ensued! Also, Davina Porter, the lovely lady who narrates Gabaldon's "Outlander" series, and Luke Daniels, the newcomer on the scene. I've really enjoyed his narrations of Crais's "Elvis Cole/Joe Pike" books and Kevin Hearne's "Iron Druid Chronicles". I'm sure there's more, and will edit this when I recall them.

[Jeanie]

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "The Harry Potter series, read by Jim Dale, is top notch. He's a genius at creating distinct voices for the many characters."

I enthusiastically concur! (smile) To this very day whenever one of my four adult children hear someone's name is "Harry", they'll say "Harryyyyyyy" in Dale's Hermione's sing-song voice! (laughing)

[Charmaine]

I see it mentioned above and I'll have to say my favourite has been The Dresden Files series read by James Masters from Buffy (Spike).

When You Reach Me is a gorgeous MG novel that I loved as much as my kids (I'll never forget you 'laughing man'). It is also well narrated.

The narrator definitely makes the book. I've had a few I've struggled with because the narrators drone out the story. I listen to a lot of non-fiction (books on the craft of writing or marketing) and often they are read in a monotone voice as well. Gary Vaynerchuk reads his Crush It and does a superb job.

[Charmaine]

Have to add Paranormalcy is another favourite in our house that is well narrated.

[Barb]

Not sure if it's been mentioned here or not, but I love Scott Brick as the reader for Steve Berry's books. He really makes Cotton Malone come alive for me!

[David]

Just started listening to the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian again. Simon Vance does a magnificent job. This will be my third time to go through the entire series.

[Wayne]

More of a supernatural thriller, but Butcher's Dresden Files books are incredible on audio. Superbly gifted reader named James Marsters. Some of my faves. Robert Crais' Elvis Cole and Pike audiobooks are great too.

[Donna, Co-Moderator]

Recently listened to Disco For The Departed with Clive Chafer as the reader. Very well done.

Also, Elegy for April and Timothy Dalton did another superb job as reader of this third book in the series.