My Favorite Audiobooks (Which You Should Read, Too)

Posted September 14, 2021 by Sammie in book list, top ten tuesdays / 26 Comments

Confession: Years ago, I swore off audiobooks and utterly refused to give them any thought at all. Also confession: I was wrong.

Go ahead, bookwyrms, take a screenshot of that because it doesn’t happen often! That I admit I’m wrong, I mean. I tend to be wrong on a fairly regular basis, but shhhh let me have this one. Forgive me, for I knew not what I did. Thankfully, I am now older, wiser, and have decided that, you know what? This audiobook thing is a pretty big deal after all.

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is technically books with numbers in the title, but I did that not too long ago here and I really have nothing to add. So instead, I want to talk about audiobooks. Because someone has to.

I’m going to admit, with my ADHD, I find audiobooks to be a unique sort of challenge. I have a tendency of having something playing in the background in general as background noise to help me focus . . . which means that sometimes when I listen to an audiobook, I tend to kind of tune out. Oops? I struggle with listening to epic fantasy, because I end up missing too many details, but I’ve found that I actually tend to like contemporary books more when I listen to the audiobooks! I’ve found a few other pros (for me, personally, at least).

Pros of listening to audiobooks:

  • Can squeeze reading into many more random parts of the day (like driving!)
  • More reading time is always a plus! More books!
  • Totally different experience from physically reading a book.
  • The voices! A good narrator can completely transform a book.
  • Some books are just inevitably better when listening to them.
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Illuminae

Illuminae (The Illuminae Files, #1)

Let’s start with my very first audiobook experience, shall we? This one came highly recommended to me by a lot of people, so of course I was going to check it out. It’s also one of the first ones I recommend when people ask where they should start with audiobooks.

One-Line Summary: A group of people manage to escape a planet that was under attack only to find that a plague has broken out on their escape ship, and their fates now lie in the hands of two teenagers and an AI with dubious intentions.

Why I love it:

  • Full cast audiobook means it’s more like a movie streamed right into your ears.
  • Very different experience from the extremely unique epistolary book.
  • Get to hear the characters in all their sarcastic glory and teenage sassiness.
  • When AIDAN finally appears, it will legit give you chills.
  • Fast-paced and actiony enough to feel like you’re watching a movie.
  • Background noises and sound effects that bring the story to life!
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Anxious People

Anxious People

Listen: if you’re not immediately pulled into this book DON’T PANIC. Keep pushing through it and trust to the magic that is Fredrik Backman’s writing. I promise, it delivers in the end. I had trouble getting into this one at first, too, but it ended up being an incredible book. One of my coworkers, who is also a Backman fan, actually DNF’d it, and I made her pick it back up again and keep going. She said it turned around right after she’d set it down, and she ended up reading the whole thing again in one day. Slow beginning, but ultimately worth the listen!

One-Line Summary: The world’s worst bank robber finds themselves unwittingly in a hostage situation with what have to be the world’s worst hostages. Also, there’s a bunny. It’s . . . complicated.

Why I love it:

  • A cast of highly relatable, entirely unique, and slightly eccentric characters.
  • No, seriously, you will fall in love with each of these characters.
  • Narrator does a fantastic job of differentiating each and every character.
  • Also, one sounds like a former colleague . . . who was very similar to the character, now that I think about it.
  • The narrator drives home the emotional parts in a way the text doesn’t quite manage.
  • (It’s Fredrik Backman. Expect many and varied emotional parts.)
  • With a large cast like this, it’s a little bit like listening to a soap opera.
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Howl’s Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle (Howl’s Moving Castle, #1)

I think many of us have seen the Studio Ghibli film Howl’s Moving Castle, which was actually the movie hubby and I watched on our second date, despite me complaining about not liking anime. Shhhh, don’t tell him, but it’s still one of my favorites (though I suspect he knows by now, given how many times we’ve watched it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ). The book, however, is very different from the movie and an experience all unto its own.

One-Line Summary: An unassuming hat maker finds herself cursed by a witch, leading her to leave town, where she ends up living in a moving castle with the world’s most dramatic wizard, a sassy fire demon, and an adorable apprentice.

Why I love it:

  • Narrator does a perfect job capturing the cantankerous indifference of older characters.
  • Sophie is a very enjoyable character to listen to.
  • Easy to get swept into the world and conflict of this.
  • Howl. I just can’t even with that man. Even though I love him.
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Swordheart

Swordheart

If no one’s told you yet: read aaaaall of T. Kingfisher’s books. She also writes under the name Ursula Vernon, so read those, too. She’s an absolutely amazing author. I haven’t read all her work yet, but I’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with the ones I have read so far, so that says something right there! Namely, read this woman’s books!

One-Line Summary: Hella is interrupted from her half-baked suicide scheme by a man emerging from the sword she’s planning to use to off herself, who them promptly kidnaps her from her late husband’s family (who has already kidnapped her for her money) in an attempt to protect her.

Why I love it:

  • I basically am Hella, and my husband is definitely Sarkis. Minus the sexy accent.
  • Sarkis has a sexy accent. Probably doesn’t need to be repeated, but it should be.
  • Adventure romance between older protagonists.
  • Talking sword! Erm . . . well, sort of? Man turned sword? Well, it’s complicated, but it’s great.
  • The banter between Sarkis and Hella is *chef’s kiss* with this narrator.
  • Feels a lot like all the best parts of eavesdropping/snooping on someone else’s life.
  • You know, like a soap opera where everyone is sarcastic instead of dramatic . . . but with swords?
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The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea

I’d like for you to please act surprised that this book is on this list. Whaaat? Never saw that coming, did you? Who’s this T.J. Klune bloke? I’ve definitely never talked about him before, right?! Well, this here is a little book that you may or may not have heard of before, and the audiobook is every bit as good as the reading experience. I couldn’t choose between them, so I did both. What can I say?

One-Line Summary: Linus is really good at his job and asks no unnecessary questions . . . until he’s assigned to a curious orphanage filled with unique children who ask a lot of unnecessary questions and an enigmatic caretaker who somehow makes Linus question . . . well . . . everything.

Why I love it:

  • Just when you think you can’t love Linus’ awkwardness any more . . . this narrator shows up.
  • The orphans on the island! Hearing the different voices for them is just such a different experience.
  • The writing style (with its dry, tongue-in-cheek humor) is so well suited to being read aloud!
  • The book is just awesome in general and deserves to be consumed in every possible media.
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My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She’s Sorry

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry

Another Backman book! Oh no, you’re definitely shocked right? Okay, but hear me out. I’ve actually physically read this one several times, but this year, I thought nah, I’ll go ahead and listen to it. But oof, my heart. Again, totally different experience! This is one that I think would be really good to read as you listen, actually.

One-Line Summary: Elsa’s granny always told her stories about the Land-of-Almost-Awake and all the magical creatures that lived in the Kingdom of Miamas, but when Granny dies suddenly of cancer and leaves Elsa one last adventure to go on, Elsa discovers that the best stories have a grain of truth in them.

Why I love it:

  • Granny is somehow even funnier in the audiobook?
  • All the accents! Different characters sound very different (read: better) than how I imagined.
  • Storytelling is a main focus of this book, so listening to a story about stories is a little like book Inception.
  • The audiobook really brings to life all these very different characters.
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Aurora Rising

Aurora Rising (The Aurora Cycle, #1)

I’m fairly certain this one was recommended to me by Dini @ DiniPandaReads during our buddy read, since she was listening to the audiobook. Note the authors. I think it’s no surprise that this also made the list. Of course, it has its own merits, totally unrelated to the authors’ other series, and I don’t mean to imply it doesn’t. All I meant is these are freaking brilliant authors.

One-Line Summary: Aurora awakes to find that 100 years has passed, everyone she knows is dead, and the government wants her for some reason, and her only chance to discover the truth about her past is a maladjusted squad of misfits.

Why I love it:

  • Kal’s. Voice. OH MY GOSH. *melts just thinking about it*
  • Finn’s banter is just 1,000% better when hearing it versus reading it.
  • Multiple narrators for a fuller, more nuanced audiobook experience!
  • The interactions between the characters are enhanced in a way that text just doesn’t get across.
  • What I mean is they sarcasm a lot. We all know by now that tone is hard to convey in writing.
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The Extraordinaries

The Extraordinaries (The Extraordinaries, #1)

Yes, I know, this is also my second Klune, but you know what? I HAVE NO REGRETS. The list is what it is, and all of these books have rightfully earned their place on it. I actually wasn’t going to listen to the audiobook of this one, because I was more than satisfied with just having read the book. However, when I was poking around OverDrive for my next audiobook, this one happened to be available, and I’m always up for a re-read listen of a good book. I was not disappointed! Nick’s hyperactive extraness is doubly good in audio format!

One-Line Summary: Nick wastes way too much of his ADHD-addled brain fanboying over the superheroes in his town (known as extraordinaries) that he sometimes forgets what’s right in front of him . . . like his adorable best friend.

Why I love it:

  • The only thing better than reading about cinnamon rolls is listening to cinnamon rolls.
  • Especially Nick’s utterly adorable, utterly oblivious self.
  • So funny listening to (and identifying with) Nick’s ADHD brain.
  • It’s almost like listening to a comic book.
  • Nick’s embarrassment is much more palpable when listening to it.
  • Is it possible to die of second-hand embarrassment?
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Have Sword, Will Travel

Have Sword, Will Travel

Someone had recommended I read this book for the talking sword, but the only copy I could find was the audiobook. So I listened to the audiobook. After all, talking swords should talk, right? 😉 Took no time at all for the narrator to suck me into the plot. The writing is very humorous, and the way the narrator delivered lines had me cracking up! I’m of the opinion that funny books usually make good audiobooks.

One-Line Summary: An unassuming boy named Odo accidentally frees an ancient talking sword named Biter from the bed of a river, and the sword then declares him to be a knight (a role which Odo is painfully unqualified for and doesn’t even want). But knighthood comes with its own set of problems.

Why I love it:

  • All the accents are fun and not quite what I expected!
  • Talking swords are always a win. Especially when you get to actually hear them talk.
  • Dragons! Always a plus in any book.
  • Fast-paced storyline that’s easy to get sucked into when listening.
  • Keeping track of lots of characters is so much easier when they all sound different.
  • Narrator delivers line perfectly for optimal funniness (and it’s a really funny book).
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The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings, #1)

I had actually owned this book for, like, two years and just never read it. It’s actually still sitting on my shelf untouched and, in all honesty, will likely remain there. Someone told me the narrator’s voice was to die for, and that’s all I really needed to hear to make the decision to switch to audiobook. And they were right. We all know that a narrator can make or break an audiobook, and I’m such a sucker for nice voices!

One-Line Summary: In an attempt to teach him responsibility and prevent him from further embarrassing the family, Monty’s father sends him on a tour. It fails splendidly on both fronts, but hey, it was a long shot to start with.

Why I love it:

  • The narrator’s voice is so smoooooth. Is it possible to fall in love with a voice?!
  • Monty’s accent and tone are absolutely perfect for his character.
  • The narration absolutely brings the characters to life.
  • The audiobook somehow feels more intimate and in-the-action than the book.
  • Almost like you’re spying on these random people, who are having a crap time of it.
  • These characters are utterly dramatic and extra, which is really brought out in the audiobook.
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Are there any audiobooks you highly recommend I check out next?

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Stay Fierce, Sammie

26 responses to “My Favorite Audiobooks (Which You Should Read, Too)

    • Seems like it’s a pretty common thing, after all! I’d definitely giving Howl’s a try, especially if you’ve already seen the movie. There were a couple instances I zoned out for a few minutes, but even though the book is different, I had the general gist of what I missed!

    • I find it interesting how people will listen to books they won’t read, but I definitely do the same! Listened to any good memoirs that you’d recommend lately?

  1. I tend to enjoy contemporary more in this format as well. I figured thatbwas just a me thing! 🙂

    I’m currently listening to the most recent Fred the Vampire Accountant book. I’ve listened to all of the on audio – the narrator is very talented. I’m glad I just jappened to stumble upon this series on Libby!

  2. I recently wrote a post ‘Should I Give Up on Audiobooks?’ after I listened to Daisy Jones & The Six, which was one of the most recommended audiobooks to me “for people who don’t like audiobooks” because of its full cast. I wasn’t a fan of it. But after discussing it in the comments with other audiobook fans, I think it was more that I just didn’t connect with the book?? I’m hoping anyway. I don’t want to give up on audiobooks but now I’m a little gun-shy to try them with books I’m excited about. Daisy Jones was one of my most hyped books.

    My mind also tends to wander when I listen. Someone gave me the tip to try a book I’ve already read, which I liked. But I’m even more encouraged after this post, knowing you changed your mind on audiobooks. Great post!
    Dedra @ A Book Wanderer recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books With Numbers In The Titles On My TBRMy Profile

    • I’ve actually heard mixed reviews about that book, in general, so I think it really might be a case of the wrong book for you! I’ve had some poor experiences with audiobooks, but I use the same 15% rule as I do normal books. If I’m not into them by 15% in, I throw it back and try again!

      I do enjoy listening to my favorite books. For me, I think it’s really just experimenting to see what works for me and what doesn’t. Some books work really well and others not so much. Thankfully, I’ve got a card at a really big library with a robust OverDrive collection, so I can usually just snag something else, no problem.

  3. I avoided audiobooks for a long time as well because every time I tried to listen to one, I fell asleep! Lately, I’ve come to realize that audiobooks work for me as long as they are a certain kind of book and as long as I am moving at the same time that I’m listening. Generally, I listen to narrative non-fiction and MG books only and I do it while I’m doing housework or walking at the gym. If I find that I’m missing too many details while listening, I stop listening and get a paper copy of the book instead. That’s how it works for me. I’m glad you’ve figured out how to make them work for you!

    Happy TTT!

    Susan
    http://www.blogginboutbooks.com

    • Middle grade books are really fun to listen to! I actually like to read my Kindle while I’m walking on the treadmill, but I like my audiobooks for driving and mindless work. I do pretty much the same thing you do! I’ve definitely tried books that didn’t work for me on audiobook but enjoy them once I picked up a paper copy. 🙂

  4. Great list! I’ve started listening to more audiobooks this year. It helps me not feel guilty for not reading when I’m doing other things like cooking or cleaning. I’ve also found that if I’m listening to an audiobook, I’m more likely to go for a walk.

    For me, I’ve found it easier to get into some books, especially some fantasy, because I’m not so hung up on the words some use. One I recently listened to and highly suggest as an audiobook is The Witch’s Heart.

    When you get the opportunity, I hope you’ll stop by my post: https://readbakecreate.com/books-counting-down-from-ten/
    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create! recently posted…Books Counting Down From TenMy Profile

    • It keeps your mind busy, too, instead of focusing on how boring cleaning is. xD Or it does for my, anyway, haha.

      Oooh, I’ve been wanting to read that! Will definitely add that audiobook to my list. Thanks!

    • I think you’d enjoy it! Definitely different from reading it. I probably re-listen to it once a year. xD Even made hubby listen to it, and he enjoyed it (and he’s nothing but a big ol’ grouch!).

  5. I’m pretty picky with my audiobooks but there’s something about a full-cast that I can’t resist and that I usually end up really loving! Yay for Illuminae and Aurora Rising—both are on my faves list (ugh just thinking of Kal’s voice gives me shivers. Sooo swoony)! I would also recommend checking out The Green Bone Saga audiobooks cos they were AMAZING! It’s not full-cast but the narrator is *chefs kiss*. Also, the Sadie audiobook is what intro’d me to the wonderful world of full-cast audios!
    Dini @ dinipandareads recently posted…#TopTenTuesday: Easy as 1, 2, 3!My Profile

    • I don’t think I would’ve even listened to the audiobook if you hadn’t told me about Kal. xD So I have you to thank for that one! Definitely gonna have to check out The Green Bone saga now!

  6. I love audiobooks in general, so it’s hard to narrow down to a favorite. (I listen while driving and walking, but can’t listening while doing anything that requires my brain — I even have to pause while looking for parking!). I love TJ Klune’s books, but haven’t listened to the audio versions (although I really want to). Nicky is the best!! I really enjoyed His Dark Materials on audio (it’s a full cast recording), and I’ve loved Amy Stewart’s Miss Kopp audiobooks too.
    Lisa @ Bookshelf Fantasies recently posted…Shelf Control #285: The Truth According to Us by Annie BarrowsMy Profile

    • So glad you were able to discover a love for them! It’s really changed my reading habits, being able to listen to audiobooks now. 😀

    • I’ve listened to a couple different Backman books on audiobook now, so I’ll have to go back and check if I’ve listened to any of hers!

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